BACKGROUND

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) — a group of infectious diseases with widespread prevalence in the world, that poses a significant threat to public health because they can occur asymptomatically, cause inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system and thereafter persistently impair reproductive function. Both local and global epidemiological surveillance helps to control their spread.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze epidemiological data on the spread of STIs in the countries of Europe, USA and Asia.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Data from the European Center for STIs Control and the European System for Collection, Analysis and Distribution of Data on Infectious Diseases (TESSy), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, the USA) and country reports of the People’s Republic of China are provided.

RESULTS

Tendencies for spread of 3 reportable STIs, namely syphilis, gonococcal and chlamydial infections, have been presented. It has been noted that there has been an increase in the incidence of syphilis, gonococcal and chlamydial infections in Europe and the USA in recent years. High rates of syphilis incidence in the PRC have been detected. Men who have sex with men, as well as young women aged 15—24 years are some of the «key» groups contributing to the spread of STIs in all countries. The factors of STIs spread are sexual promiscuity, sex without the use of barrier contraception, group sex, psychoactive substance use before or during sex, sex industry, social vulnerability and increasing popularity of websites, social networks and applications for finding sexual partners.

CONCLUSION

Epidemiologists believe that promoting safe sex, including through social networks and dating applications, regular condom use and regular testing for STIs in high-risk groups and socially vulnerable populations are important to prevent the spread of STIs.