Sexually transmitted infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause long-term damage to general health. Early detection and treatment of STIs reduces the spread of infection and may avoid or delay serious complications and consequences.

Key findings

Where rates are given these are per 100,000 of the population (all ages) and are for 2023:

• In 2023, 4,391 new STIs (excluding chlamydia in under-25s) were diagnosed in Lancashire-12 area residents, representing a rate of 350 diagnoses per 100,000 population. This rate is significantly better than the England rate (520).
• Blackburn with Darwen's rate (311) of new STI diagnoses (excluding chlamydia in under-25s) is better than the England rate and Blackpool's rate (735) is significantly higher than the England rate.
• In Blackpool (96.8), Preston (69.3) and Burnley (67.0) the diagnosis rate (per 100,000) of first episode genital herpes is significantly higher than the England rate (47.6).
• Lancashire-12 area's STI testing rate (2,449.1 per 100,000) is significantly lower than the England average (4,110.7), hence suggesting that sexual health services in this area may not be testing as many people as the national average.
• In Lancashire-12, the percentage of females, aged 12 to 13 years, vaccinated with one dose of HPV vaccine (74.1%) is higher than the England rate (71.3%) but remains below the 80% benchmark goal (2022/23). In line with the national and regional picture, the recent trend shows no significant change in Lancashire-12 area's HPV vaccination coverage for one dose in females aged 12 to 13 years.

Please see the chlamydia screening page for further information.

For county and unitary data and further information please see below