There were 234 reports of sexually-transmitted diseases last year, Health Minister Joseph Cassar told Parliament.

Answering a question by Labour MP Anthony Agius Decelis, Dr Cassar said these included 138 cases of Chlamydia, 47 of gonorrhoea, 25 of syphilis, 18 of HIV and six of Aids.

Compared to 2009, the figures showed increases of 32 cases of Chlamydia, six of syphilis and four of Aids, as well as a drop of 16 cases of gonorrhoea. Cases of HIV had remained static.

Dr Cassar said that because the reported figures were relatively small, it was impossible to comment on statistically-valid increases, but it appeared that the results here were in line with international trends.

To another question by Mr Agius Decelis, the minister said the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate was planning to continue running educational campaigns on the prevention of sexually-transmitted diseases.

The department was also organising campaigns as part of the action plan being drawn up by all parties concerned for the enactment of the national sexual health policy.

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