SJD Hospital in Saint-Puy doubles STD cases in 7 years

• Chlamydia and gonorrhea top the list of sexually transmitted diseases that are growing the most

• SJD de Sant Boi Hospital established the HIV and Other STD Unit eight years ago in anticipation of an increase in STD cases

• Catalonia is the autonomous region with the most gonorrhea and chlamydia diagnoses in Spain, and the third with the most syphilis cases

The SJD Hospital in Saint-Puy recorded twice as many STD cases in 2023 than seven years ago, with chlamydia and gonorrhea at the forefront. According to data from the Infectious Diseases Service, STI diagnoses grew steadily from 2017 to 2019, the year in which the highest number of cases were reached, and rebounded after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Prevention, control and care of people infected with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases is the main function of the HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases unit. This unit was established in 2016, given the need to provide professional care to people with this type of infection and in anticipation of the expected increase in cases that will be detected in the following years. In relation to the Barcelona Metropolitana Sud Health District, the Unit, as well as the Infectious Diseases Service of the SJD de Sant Boi Hospital, operates in line with the Action Plan against HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections 2021-2030 of the Ministry of Health.

Its main director, Dr. Vicenz Díaz de Brito, Head of the Infectious Diseases Service at the SJD Hospital in Sant Boi, says that in recent years they have noticed an increase in cases of sexually transmitted diseases, especially with regard to sexually transmitted infections that highlight the Epidemiological Surveillance Report of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Infections in Spain 2022 Gonorrhea and Chlamydia . The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic caused a decline in cases during 2020 and 2021, but the latest data indicates an increase in diagnoses approaching 2019 numbers, especially chlamydia and gonorrhea, but also syphilis. Everything indicates that during 2024 the same levels as they were seven years ago will be reached.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea, which are the most common sexually transmitted infections diagnosed at SJD Hospital in Saint-Puy

Gonorrhea and chlamydia are sexually transmitted diseases, of bacterial origin, that can be transmitted without knowing it because they can pass without obvious symptoms. The same applies to HIV or syphilis, which is why the SJD Hospital in Saint-Puy recommends regular follow-up at the STD Center or in the outpatient clinic if risky sexual relations persist, in order to detect any infection in time and thus reduce Of the consequences and infection.

doctor. Diaz de Brito points to the feeling of invulnerability among young people, behavioral changes, and shame in talking about sex, as reasons for the growth of sexually transmitted diseases. “Young people know about sexually transmitted diseases and they know the potential consequences of continuing risky sexual practices, but they are not afraid, they think it will not happen to them, and you only have to see the increase in diagnosis to know that it is a lot more common than we think,” he says. In addition, minors suffer the disadvantage of having to inform their parents, as “healthy majority” is only reached at the age of 16, which is the age at which they can visit a health center without being accompanied by legal guardians.

Catalonia is the autonomous region that records the most diagnoses of gonorrhea and chlamydia, and the third most diagnoses of syphilis.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) represent a public health problem, both because of their size and because of the potential complications or consequences if not detected and treated in a timely manner. For this reason, the National Epidemiological Surveillance Network (RENAVE) monitors syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, sexually transmitted lymphogranulomatosis (LGV), HIV and viral hepatitis with mandatory follow-up.

The just-published report highlights that, at the state level, diseases such as gonorrhea and syphilis have continued to grow for more than 20 years, with infection rates doubling in 25 and 10, respectively. The incidence of chlamydia is particularly high, rising by 245% since 2016. According to data in the report, Catalonia is the autonomous community with the most gonorrhea and chlamydia diagnoses, and the third with more cases of syphilis.

Sant Joan de Déu Health Park

Sant Joan de Déu Health Park is a network of care, education and research services integrated into three areas of care with their own identity: Sant Boi Hospital, intermediate care and the mental health network, which in fact is a model of comprehensive, close and quality care that generates trust, both in health aspects and Social, in addition to promoting a proactive model of community services.

At Saint Boy Hospital, innovative care formats are promoted to avoid traditional hospital stays and promote ambulatory care. Intermediate care aims to serve the elderly and those dependent on palliative care with the aim of ensuring maximum independence or the best quality of life in end-of-life situations through its own model and set of services.

In the field of mental health, a wide range of devices specialized in mental health and adult rehabilitation have been developed in the region. Our mission is to be a reference center for the diagnosis and treatment of people with mental health problems in Catalonia.