Sharp rise in STIs among over-35s

Research suggests sexual behaviour has changed among over 35s

Some sexually transmitted diseases are increasing at a faster rate in the over-35s than in young people, figures obtained by BBC Scotland suggest.

The data suggested rates of syphilis in older men, and gonorrhoea and herpes in older women, were outstripping rates for the under-20s.

Sexual health expert Dr Rak Nandwani said safe sex messages seemed to have bypassed older people.

Health Scotland said its next safe sex campaign would target all age groups.

The figures from ISD Scotland showed infectious syphilis in men had increased 31 times in over-35s, compared to nine times in under 20s.

The data also suggested gonorrhoea in older women had increased 6.3 times compared to 3.5 times in younger women, and genital herpes had increased slightly more in older women (1.9 times against 1.8 times).

People are living longer, are healthier, and expect to have a sex life Dr Rak Nandwani Consultant physician

The ISD figures mirrored research published in the British Medical Journal earlier this year which said the number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among over-45s had doubled in 2003 compared with 1996 figures.

That research, carried out in the Midlands, said sexual risk-taking behaviour was no longer confined to young people.

Dr Nandwani, a consultant physician specialising in genitourinary medicine, said a number of factors had contributed to the increase of STIs among the over-35s.

'Market place'

He said internet dating, increased use of drugs such as Viagra and foreign travel were partly to blame.

He added: "People are living longer, are healthier, and expect to have a sex life.

"There are more people on the market place, if you like, who are not in long-term relationships.

"A lot of the sexual health messages are seen to be aimed at teenagers and they have bypassed a lot of older people.

"So people are less likely to have safe sex or use protection - pregnancy is also less of a concern."

Shirley Fraser, of Health Scotland, said older age groups often had different perceptions of sexual health risks.

"What represents a risk to a young person is different to an adult - perhaps because there were less sexually transmitted infections when they were younger.

"In terms of sexual health, we tend to think about young people. We need to start thinking about our whole population."

She said Health Scotland intended to do more work with the whole population in the next stage of its sexual health and relationship strategy, Respect & Responsibility.

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