The number of people with STDs increased significantly in Friesland last year. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are particularly common. The latter is spreading among new groups, a worrying development.
Kitty de Groot said this this week in the health board committee of the GGD. The doctor gave a presentation to all Frisian councilors about sexual health in the province.
Combating STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) is one of the tasks of the health service. It therefore holds consultation hours where people can be tested (free and anonymously) for STDs. Nearly 1,700 people will have been tested in 2022. Nearly 20 percent (346) tested positive for chlamydia, 68 (4 percent) for gonorrhea. About 1,400 consultations were made in 2021, of which 285 were positive for chlamydia (19 percent) and 42 were positive for gonorrhea tests (almost 3 percent).
The number of gonorrhea infections is increasing, national figures from the RIVM also showed this week. At GGD Fryslân, this year the number of gonorrhea cases has even doubled compared to last year. What is striking, according to De Groot, is that the venereal disease is spreading to women and heterosexual men, whereas previously it mainly affected men who have sex with other men.
Heterosexual youth
“Very worrying. Previously, STDs often remained in certain bubbles, for example among homosexual men. Now you also see this among heterosexual young people.”
One explanation according to De Groot is that more risky sex is being practiced. “We see that condom use is decreasing. This increases the risk of STDs.” There is also a relationship with the increase in drug use. “That has an effect on sexual experience and the risks of STDs.”
Gonorrhea is an STD caused by bacteria that can lead to infections. Common complaints are a burning sensation when urinating or a pustular discharge from the penis, also called oozing.
Resistance on the rise
De Groot: “Women in particular can have it without having any complaints. But if the disease is not treated quickly, more serious complaints can develop.” In addition, resistance to certain forms of antibiotics is on the rise. “Then we have a very big problem in the Netherlands. That’s why we need to contain outbreaks quickly.”
The doctor urged councilors to pay more attention to the sexual health of their residents. “Do you know what is going on in your community? I don’t know exactly.”
De Groot performs consultation hours together with a gynecologist and a nurse specialist. Not everyone knows where to find the GGD; about 30 percent of the positive tests were performed by the GGD. “We want more awareness among general practitioners and hospitals. Our most important task is the signaling function, but for that you have to have contact with people.”
2023-11-24 12:28:51
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