Sex in the city, and young Londoners cause alarm for health chiefs

Young people in London aged 15 to 24 were Thursday urged to practice safe sex after results showed their age group accounted for 36 percent of sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) in Britain's capital.

Rates among young Londoners were high in STIs such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia, genital warts, genital herpes and syphilis all being diagnosed.

Public Health England (PHE) London is raising awareness of STIs among young Londoners as part of the Family Planning Association's Sexual Health Week, taking place this week.

Statistics show that from 2011 to 2015 new diagnoses of syphilis and gonorrhoea in 15 to 24 year olds in London increased by 128 percent and 61 percent respectively. Genital herpes also rose by 4 percent, with STIs affecting more than 42,000 young Londoners.

PHE said in a statement Thursday: "To reduce the number of STIs, it is important that young Londoners are familiar with the PHE recommendations for safe sexual health. These include annual STI screening and on change of sexual partner, as well as the need for re-testing after a positive chlamydia diagnosis.

Dr Yvonne Doyle, regional director for PHE London, said: "These figures show that too many young people in London are continuing to have unsafe sex, putting themselves at unnecessary risk of contracting STIs.

"Young people tend to have more sexual partners and are more likely to have unsafe sex. These factors mean they are at increased risk of contracting STIs and becoming re-infected," said Doyle.

As part of Sexual Health Week, the FPA surveyed more than 2,000 people across Britain to find out what they know and think about safe sex and STI testing.

Among 16 to 24-year-olds who have been sexually active, they found almost half have never had an STI test, while 28 percent said buying condoms can be embarrassing

Only one-third said they learnt how to confidently talk to a partner about using condoms during their sex and relationships education

Dr Doyle added: "Young people reported being more worried about going for a sexual health check, with both embarrassment and the fear of people finding out being of particular concern."

FPA's Chief Executive, Natika H Halil, said: "One huge problem is we still don't have statutory sex and relationships education, which means many young people are not given the opportunity to develop skills which can help them safely navigate sexual relationships."

London-based sexual health expert Dr Patrick French said: "Worsening sexual health remains one of the biggest public health concerns facing London, which is why it is a priority." Endit