Latest information and statistics on sexual health

Sexually transmissible infections

Sexually transmissible infections (STIs) include bacterial, viral and parasitic infections that are primarily transmitted through sexual contact [36092]. Young people are particularly vulnerable to STIs. The use of condoms is regarded as fundamental in preventing STI transmission. Most STIs are treatable and early detection is important in the management of STIs.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is an infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and symptoms mainly consist of an inflamed urethra, causing discharge for males and pain during urination and intermenstrual bleeding for females [35898]. However, chlamydia is asymptomatic (showing no symptoms) in about 80% of cases. Chlamydia can also lead to reproductive issues for females such as infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancies.

In 2022, there were 7,683 notifications of chlamydia for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people [49094]. The age-standardised notification rate[1] for chlamydia among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people was 814 per 100,000. The rate among females (1,022 per 100,000) was higher than for males (616 per 100,000).

In 2022, the highest chlamydia notifications were among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15-19 years ( (2,390: 31%), followed by 20-24 years (2,307: 30%) [49094].

In 2022, for the jurisdictions reported, notification rates for chlamydia were highest in the NT (1,687 per 100,000), followed by WA (1,196 per 100,000) and Qld (871 per 100,000) [49094]. The remaining jurisdictions reported on, had notification rates ranging from 389 per 100,000 in the ACT to 667 per 100,000 in SA. The notification rate for chlamydia increased with remoteness from 506 per 100,000 in major cities, 746 per 100,000 in regional areas, to 1,666 per 100,000 in remote areas.

Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is an infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae and displays similar symptoms to chlamydia [35898]. Gonorrhoea is largely asymptomatic and can lead to reproductive issues if left untreated [35898][42048].

In 2022, there were 4,994 gonorrhoea notifications for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people [49094]. The age-standardised notification rate[2] for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people was 547 per 100,000. The notification rate for gonorrhoea among females (569 per 100,000) was higher than for males (530 per 100,000).

In 2022, the highest gonorrhoea notifications were among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 20-24 years (1,251: 25%), followed by 30-39 years (1,519: 23% ) and 15-19 years (1,120: 22%) [49094].

In 2022, notification rates for gonorrhoea were highest in the NT (1,960 per 100,000), followed by WA (908 per 100,000) and SA (818 per 100,000), with the lowest rate in Tas (54 per 100,000) [49094]. The remaining jurisdictions reported on, had notification rates ranging from 155 per 100,000 in NSW to 386 per 100,000 in Qld. The notification rate for gonorrhoea increased by remoteness from 282 per 100,000 in major cities, 339 per 100,000 in regional areas to 1,651 per 100,000 in remote areas.

Syphilis

Syphilis is an infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum which can be contracted through sexual contact, blood-to-blood contact and from mother to child during pregnancy [35898][42135]. If a fetus contracts syphilis during pregnancy it is called congenital syphilis, and often results in the fetus dying if left untreated. The primary symptom of syphilis is a painless ulcer located at the area of infection, which appears within the first couple of weeks after infection, followed by a rash, which usually appears on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet if left untreated and progresses into what is termed secondary syphilis. Following the secondary stage, the infection is asymptomatic.

In 2022, there were 971 syphilis notifications for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people [49094]. The age-standardised notification rate[3] for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people was 109 per 100,000. The rate among males (117 per 100,000) was higher than for females (101 per 100,000).

In 2022, the highest syphilis notifications were among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 20-24 years (194: 20%) followed by 25-29 years (175: 18%) and over 40 years  (170: 18%) [49094].

In 2022, notification rates for syphilis were highest in WA (293 per 100,000), followed by the NT (228 per 100,000) and Qld (102 per 100,000), with the lowest rate in Tas with no notifications. The remaining jurisdictions had notification rates ranging from 9.1 per 100,000 in the ACT to 56 per 100,000 in SA and Vic.  [49094]. The notification rate for syphilis was 66 per 100,000 in regional areas, 85 per 100,00 in major cities and 273 per 100,000 in remote areas.

[1] Notification rates by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status are only included for jurisdictions where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status was reported for ≥50% of diagnoses for each of the reported years. For chlamydia this included NSW, Qld, WA, SA, the ACT and the NT.
[2] Notification rates by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status are only included for jurisdictions where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status was reported for ≥50% of diagnoses for each of the reported years. For gonorrhoea this included all jurisdictions except Vic.
[3] Notification rates by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status are only included for jurisdictions where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status was reported for ≥50% of diagnoses for each of the reported years. For infectious syphilis this included all jurisdictions.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) affects a person’s immune system and over time prevents their body’s ability to overcome infections and illnesses [42148]. HIV can be transmitted through certain body fluids such as blood, vaginal fluid, semen and breast milk. It can also be transmitted during pregnancy or birth from mother to child. If untreated, HIV can progress to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) [35898].

The risk factors associated with contracting HIV include engaging in unprotected sex (anal, oral or vaginal), having an STI, sharing injecting equipment, using unsterile piercing and tattooing equipment or accidental needle stick injuries [42148][42155].

HIV symptoms often vary and develop over time, meaning it is common for people who are infected to be unaware they are HIV positive until the later stages of infection [42148]. However, the most infectious time period is the first few months after infection.

In 2022, there were 25 notifications[1] of HIV infection in Australia among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people [49094]. The median age of diagnosis was 34.0 years. The age-standardised rate of HIV diagnosis for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people was 3.2 per 100,000 population.

In 2022, males accounted for 22 (88%) of new cases of HIV among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people [49094]. The age-standardised rate of HIV diagnosis was higher among males (5.6 per 100,000) compared with females (0.9 per 100,000).

In 2022, the age-standardised HIV notification rate was higher among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 35 years and over (4.0 per 100,000) compared with those aged under 35 years (2.2 per 100,000) [49094].

In 2022, the HIV notification rate was highest among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in remote areas (5.6 per 100,000) compared with major cities (3.9 per 100,000) and regional areas (0.8 per 100,000) [49094].

[1] HIV notifications are based on small numbers so should be interpreted with caution [49094].