STI rates increase in the Mallee

A recent report on STI rates has revealed a concerning trend across the Murray and Mallee region.

University of New South Wale’s Kirby Institute data has reported an increase in chlamydia and syphilis across the local region over the last decade.

It shows an increase of 14.3 per cent in chlamydia and 12.6 per cent spike in syphilis cases between 2014 and 2023,

Experts say falling condom use is part of the problem, with further concerns a drop in testing rates during COVID hasn’t rebounded.

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