Sharp increase in gonorrhoea notifications among young people, EU/EEA, July 2022 to June 2023.

Gonorrhoea cases increased steeply in women aged 20 to 24 years across 15 EU/EEA countries in July to December 2022 and January to June 2023 with, respectively, 73% and 89% more cases reported than expected, based on historical data from 2015 to 2019. Smaller increases among men due to heterosexual transmission were observed in nine EU/EEA countries. Interventions to raise awareness among young people about sexually transmitted infection risks are needed, emphasising the benefit of safe sexual practices and testing.

Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections with Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium and Trichomonas vaginalis: findings from the National Survey of Sexual Lifestyles, Attitudes and Health, Slovenia, 2016 to 2017.

BackgroundTo inform prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), we need reliable prevalence estimates.AimOne objective of the Slovenian National Survey of Sexual Lifestyles, Attitudes and Health was to estimate the prevalence of STIs with Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium and Trichomonas vaginalis.MethodsData were collected between October 2016 and July 2017 in a probability sample of the general population aged 18-49 years. Computer-assisted face-to-face interviewing and self-completion of questionnaires were used. Respondents were invited to provide urine samples to be tested for STIs.ResultsOf 1,929 survey participants, 1,087 individuals provided urine samples which were tested confidentially for C. trachomatis and a subset (n = 1,023) were tested anonymously for the other STIs. The prevalence of C. trachomatis was 0.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.1-1.8) in men and 1.7% (95% CI: 0.9-3.2) in women. Age-specific prevalence was the highest among individuals aged 18-24 years, 2.8% (95% CI: 0.7-10.6) in men and 4.7% (95% CI: 1.7-12.3) in women. N. gonorrhoea was not detected. Prevalence of M. genitalium was 0.5% (95% CI: 0.1-2.2) in men and 0.3% (95% CI: 0.1-1.1) in women; the highest prevalence was among men aged 25-34 years (1.1%; 95% CI: 0.2-7.5) and women aged 35-49 years (0.5%; 95% CI: 0.1-2.0). T. vaginalis was detected in the sample from one woman (0.2%; 95% CI: 0.1-1.2).ConclusionThe substantial prevalence of C. trachomatis among young adults suggests gaps in testing, diagnosis and treatment.

Enhanced national surveillance of severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) within COVID-19 surveillance, Slovenia, weeks 13 to 37 2021.

We monitored trends of severe COVID-19 morbidity in Slovenia during weeks 13 to 37 2021. National weekly rates of severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) cases testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 at admission in all hospitals varied between 0.2 and 16.3 cases per 100,000 population. Of those without previous COVID-19 diagnosis, SARI COVID-19 admission rates ranged between 0.3 and 17.5 per 100,000 unvaccinated, and 0.0 and 7.3 per 100,000 fully vaccinated individuals. National SARI COVID-19 surveillance is essential in informing COVID-19 response.

Writing about suicide in graduation exam essays in Slovenia.

In 2017, senior year high school students in Slovenia wrote a graduation exam essay entitled "Suicide as an exit from the wheels of the system". Students had to explain the motives for suicide of the protagonists of two novels and take a stand on this action. We examined the relevant paragraphs of 142 essays. Negative attitudes prevailed towards suicide in general, but one quarter of students showed positive attitudes towards the protagonists' suicidal actions. A few students communicated their personal experience of hopelessness and revealed that they identified with the protagonists' suicidal behavior. Discussing suicide requires alertness for vulnerable individuals who should be offered help if needed.

Prevalence of and risk factors for sexually transmitted infection with Chlamydia trachomatis to guide control measures: findings from the Slovenian National Survey of Sexual Lifestyles, Attitudes, and Health in 2016-2017.

INTRODUCTION: To inform Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection control, the objectives of the second Slovenian National Survey of Sexual Lifestyles, Attitudes, and Health in 2016-2017 were to estimate the prevalence of and identify risk factors for CT infection among sexually experienced 18- to 49-year-olds in Slovenia. METHODS: Data were collected from a probability sample of the general population 18 to 49 years old. Respondents were invited to provide a urine specimen for CT testing. Data were analyzed using STATA 15 survey commands to account for stratification and clustering. RESULTS: Of 1,046 CT test results of sexually experienced respondents included in the analyses, the weighted prevalence of CT infection was 0.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.1-1.9) in men and 1.7% (95% CI: 0.9-3.3) in women. The highest prevalence was among women 18 to 24 years old (5.6%; 95% CI: 2.0-14.4). Women 18 to 49 years old with a new sex partner in the last year had higher odds of CT infection (adjusted odds ratio: 8.9, 95% CI: 2.5-31.9). CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of annual opportunistic testing for CT should be considered for sexually active women < 25 years old, and testing should be offered at primary healthcare gynecology clinics to older women reporting a new sex partner during the past year.

Self-reported Sexually Transmitted Infections and Healthcare in Slovenia: Findings from the Second National Survey of Sexual Lifestyles, Attitudes and Health, 2016-2017.

INTRODUCTION: Objectives were to estimate the lifetime prevalence of self-reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and describe STIs healthcare. METHODS: Data was collected in the period 2016-2017 from a probability sample of the general population, 18-49 years old, at respondents' homes by a combination of face-to-face interviews and self-administration of more sensitive questions. Statistical methods for complex survey data were used to account for stratification, clustered sampling, and weighting. RESULTS: Approximately every tenth sexually experienced individual reported to have had genitourinary symptoms suggestive of STIs, but only a minority of them reported to have had those respective STIs diagnosed. The proportion of sexually experienced individuals that reported to have ever been diagnosed with an STI (excluding trichomoniasis, pubic lice for men and women, and pelvic inflammatory disease, vaginal thrush, bacterial vaginosis for women) was 2.4% for men and 6.7% for women (p<0.001). Independent risk factors associated with self-reported STIs in women included at least 10 lifetime sexual partners and having been forced into sex. The majority of the last STI episodes in women were treated by gynaecologists accessible at the primary healthcare level and in men by a dermatovenerologist, after referral by a general practitioner. Approximately half of STI patients were counselled for safer sex and majority reported to have notified their sexual contacts. CONCLUSIONS: Our estimates for lifetime prevalence of self-reported STIs in a probability sample of Slovenian sexually experienced men and women, 18-49 years old, indicate a substantial national burden of STIs. The results will inform national STI prevention and control policies and strategies.