Written answers
Tuesday, 19 February 2013
Department of Health
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of recorded cases of the eleven sexually transmitted infections that are currently legally notifiable here; ano-genital warts, chancroid, chlamydia trachomatis, genital herpes simplex, gonorrhoea, granuloma inguinale, infectious hepatitis B, lymphogranuloma venereum, non-specific urethritis, syphilis and trichomoniasis from 2002 to date in 2013; and if he will provide a breakdown based on age, gender and location. [8331/13]
James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Eleven sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are currently legally notifiable in Ireland: ano-genital warts, chancroid, chlamydia trachomatis, genital herpes simplex, gonorrhoea, granuloma inguinale, infectious hepatitis B, lymphogranuloma venereum, non-specific urethritis, syphilis and trichomoniasis. Aggregate data on the number of notified STIs from Departments of Public Health in each HSE region is collated quarterly. The Departments of Public Health are notified of STIs mainly from STI clinics and some GPs.
There were 13,259 notifications of STIs in 2011, an increase of 12.2% when compared with 2010 and continuing an upward trend since 1995. Information on activity levels in STI clinics is not readily available. However I have asked the Health Service Executive to supply this information to me and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a full list, in tabular form, of all locations nationwide which provide screenings for sexually transmitted infections; and if he will list the criteria for screening in each location based on gender and sexual orientation, that is, the number of screening centres for men, women and gay men and so on. [8332/13]
James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Sexual health prevention and treatment services include a broad range of health care at different levels, both public and private, throughout the health care system. The main elements include prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and clinical care for those with STIs, contraception, screening for diseases such as genital chlamydia, psychosexual counselling and support, and specialised services for high-risk groups and diseases.
HSE public STI screening services are almost exclusively based in hospitals and special community clinic settings around Ireland and are free. Some GP practices and family planning services also provide STI testing services for a fee.
STI screening is provided free of charge in the following sites:
| County | Address | Target Population |
|---|---|---|
| Dublin | GUIDE Clinic, St. James’s Hospital, Dublin 8 (Young Persons Only clinic on Thursdays) Mater Hospital, Dublin 7 Women's Health Project Gay Men's Health Service(GMHS) | General (Young People) General Women in prostitution MSM/Transgender |
| Louth | Outpatients Department, Louth County Hospital, Dundalk Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda | General General |
| Monaghan | Outpatients Dept, Monaghan Hospital | General |
| Westmeath | Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath | General |
| Laois | St Fintan’s Hospital, Portlaoise, Co. Laois | General |
| Cork | South Infirmary, Victoria Hospital, Cork City Youth Health Service, Cork City | General General |
| Kerry | General Hospital, Tralee, Co. Kerry | General |
| Waterford | Regional Hospital, Waterford City | General |
| Carlow | District Hospital, Carlow | General |
| Tipperary | South Tipperary Hospital, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary General Hospital, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary | General General |
| Limerick | Regional Hospital, Limerick City | General |
| Clare | General Hospital, Ennis, Co. Clare | General |
| Galway | University Hospital, Galway City Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway | General General |
| Mayo | General Hospital, Castlebar, Co. Mayo | General |
| Sligo | Regional Hospital, Sligo Town | General |
| Donegal | General Hospital, Letterkenny, Co Donegal | General |
The criteria for screening is as follows:
Symptomatic | Asymptomatic |
|---|---|
| Or Clinical signs of infection Or contact of STI -Vaginal - Gram stain - Wet Vaginal Prep – TV - High Vaginal swab - GC Culture -Cervical - Gram stain - Cervical CTNG Consider Pharyngeal and rectal CTNG in conjunction with Sexual History | No clinical signs of infection -Cervical CTNG |
Wait for results | No Need to wait for results |
Bloods: All patients HIV Ab, Syphilis Serology, Hep BsAg, In addition for IVDU: Hep A IgG, HepBcAb, Hep C Ab. | |
Male Screening Criteria | |
Symptomatic | Asymptomatic |
| Or Clinical signs of infection Or contact of STI -Urethral Smear - Gram stain - GC Culture -FVU | No clinical signs of infection -FVU |
Wait for results | No Need to wait for results |
Bloods: for all patients HIV Ab, Syphilis Serology, Hep BsAg, In addition for IVDU and MSM Hep A IgG, HepBcAb, Hep C Ab | |
Male Screening Criteria – MSM’s Only | |
Symptomatic | Asymptomatic |
| Or Clinical signs of infection Or contact of STI -Urethral Smear - Gram stain - GC Culture -FVU -Pharyngeal CTNG - CG Culture - Rectal - Gram stain - GC Culture - CTNG | No clinical signs of infection -FVU -Pharyngeal CTNG -Rectal CTNG |
Wait for results | No Need to wait for results |
Bloods: HIV Ab, Syphilis Serology, Hep BsAg, HepBcAb, Hep A IgG, Hep C Ab |
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Health if we are in compliance with all EU Directives on sexual health in terms of provision of publicly funded treatment and testing centres for sexually transmitted infections. [8333/13]
James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I am not aware of any EU directives that apply to the provision of treatment or testing for sexually transmitted infections.
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