The City of London has said a ‘unique set of factors’ are behind its ranking as the area with the second highest rate of new sexually transmitted infections (STI) diagnoses in England.
The financial mecca registered 327 new diagnoses last year but its small population and disproportionate number of groups affected by STIs means it has a rate of 3,015 diagnoses per 100,000 people, according to data from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
The DHSC said the figures represented no significant change in trend for the borough. Lambeth topped the chart with a rate of 3,304 and registered 10,467 infections.
These figures exclude the diagnosis of chlamydia in people aged under 25. A spokesperson for the City of London said the area’s small resident population but high proportion of residents disproportionately affected by STIs, as well as some of the data including individuals who work in the City but live elsewhere are behind the number.
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The spokesperson said: “The City of London is committed to improving sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Through our recently adopted five-year Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy, we are working with the NHS and community partners to reduce STI transmission, improve access to services, and promote healthy sexual relationships.
“This strategy outlines comprehensive actions across areas such as STI prevention and treatment, reproductive health, and HIV management.
“The rates of sexually transmitted infections are calculated using the ONS mid-year estimate of resident population. The City of London’s sexual health data reflects a unique set of factors, including a relatively small resident population but a higher proportion of residents from groups disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infections, such as gay and bisexual men.
“Additionally, some data may include individuals who work in the City but reside elsewhere, as not all sexual health services have followed the guidance on recording patients’ residential postcodes correctly. We are addressing this by reminding service providers to follow national coding guidance to ensure future data is accurate.”
The City tracked 19th in the nation for chlamydia diagnoses with 2,183 per 100,000 people and 36 infections last year. Lambeth came first with 1,342 diagnoses which equates to a rate of 3,379 per 100,000 people.
London boroughs took the top 14 spots for new STI diagnoses, the Department’s data shows. This pales in comparison to the national average of 520 per 100,000. Bottom of the list were places like Westmorland and Furness which had a diagnosis rate of 177 per 100,000 people.
According to the 2021 census, the population of the City of London was 8,600 while Lambeth’s was 317,700. A Lambeth Council spokesperson said a “complex dynamic” of cultural and behavioural factors, as well as access to and use of healthcare services were at play in the borough.
They said: “The borough’s rate of STI rates, including chlamydia, is something that Lambeth’s Sexual Health Commissioners are aware of and proactively addressing. These efforts are set out in a joint plan by Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham, which is currently being refreshed.”
The spokesperson said there has been a push to increase regular STI testing in the borough to catch infections early. They said many infections can be asymptomatic and so prompt treatment is pivotal to prevent onward transmission.
They added: “While higher STI rates are of course concerning, there can be some comfort knowing that a steady increase in testing means that those with an infection are now being diagnosed more often, more people are getting treatment and the risk of further spread is reduced.
“With lower testing rates, the number of positive results would be lower, but the risk to the community would be higher from undiagnosed infections.”
They said those affected can access sexual health clinics at Guys and St Thomas’s, Kings NHS Trust and Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust and order tests online via Sexual Health London. There is also a condom distribution service for young people and access to Emergency Hormonal Contraception via pharmacies.
They added a new outreach service has been launched to deliver sexual health support, education and STI testing specifically to groups with higher sexual health needs, including young people, marginalised communities and Black, Asian and multi-ethnic residents. The City of London offers a range of sexual health services, which can be found on its website.
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