Sexually transmitted infections in Poland in 2013-2018 in comparison to other European countries based on infectious diseases surveillance in Poland and in Europe.

Abstract

PURPOSE The aim of the study was to assess the epidemiological situation of newly sexually transmitted infections in Poland in 2013-2018 in comparison to other European countries based on infectious diseases surveillance. MATERIAL AND METHODS Analysis of the epidemiological situation was based on aggregated data from MZ-56 reports on infectious diseases, infections and poisoning sent from Sanitary Inspections to NIPH NIHNRI. Case-based data for gonorrhoea were analyzed in relation to transmission route and first place of medical diagnosis between 2017-2018. RESULTS Between 2013-2018 in Poland 8,436 syphilis cases were diagnosed (mean diagnosis rate was 3.66 per 100,000), 2,395 gonorrhoeae cases, whereas number of Chlamydia trachomatis infections from 2014 to 2018 were 1,179 cases. In this time the decrease of 26.2% in newly recognized gonorrhoea cases were observed, whereas the diagnosis rate for chlamydia was stable grew up: from 0.42 per 100,000 in 2014 year to 0.80 in 2018 year. Most STI cases were recognized among men: male to female ratio for syphilis was 5:1, for gonorrhoea 11:1, whereas for chlamydia there is reverse tendency, there are more cases registered among women (0.8:1). CONCLUSION There are lower STI diagnosis rates in Poland compare to European countries and there are visible big disproportion between number of cases among men and women. Distribution of cases in all voivodeships in Poland and often huge disproportion in the number of new cases between these voivodeships indicate on underreporting problem in Poland.