Sexually transmitted diseases in Australia: a decade of change. Epidemiology and surveillance

Survival data in the last decade for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) other than human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are uneven across the states/territories. The incidence of gonorrhoea decreased by more than 80%, but at different times in different patient groups, different states, and different anatomical sites. There was a resurgence of rectal gonorrhoea in homosexual men in 1989-1991. Resistance to penicillin steadily increased, and partial resistance to quinolones has emerged. There was a marked decline in syphilis in most states. Lymphogranuloma venereum is rare, and chancroid seen mostly in returning travellers from Southeast Asia; however, hundreds of cases of donovanosis are seen annually among rural Aborigines. The prevalence of genital infections with Chlamydia trachomatis remained stable at 2.5%-14% in STD clinics, and 5% in family planning clinics. The numbers of cases of clinical genital herpes and warts are mostly unavailable. However, specific serology for herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) indicates that 14% of antenatal clinic patients, and 40%-60% of STD patients have been exposed. Pap smears have detected the presence of human papilloma virus (HPV) in 14%-40% of various clinic populations. Exposure to hepatitis B in the non-Aboriginal population decreased markedly. Hepatitis C infection occurred in a high percentage of injecting drug users; the evidence for sexual transmission is not strong. An epidemic of hepatitis A infection occurred in male homosexuals in 1989-1991. Changes in the Australian sex industry resulted in marked improvements in the sexual health of local (but not international) sex workers. The high levels of STDs in Aboriginal communities continues to cause concern.