Epidemiology

The prevalence of sexually transmitted infections varies between population groups, countries, and regions. For example, syphilis in Germany currently affects predominantly men who have sex with men (MSM), whereas in Eastern Europe it is more prevalent in the heterosexual population. This is attributable, among other factors, to differences in access to prevention, diagnosis and treatment, the number of sexual partners, the preferred sexual practices, or social conditions such as stigmatisation of lifestyles or marginalisation of infected people.

In Germany, groups that are particularly affected by and at risk of sexually transmitted infections include:

More than half of all HIV infections and the majority of syphilis infections affect gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM). Chlamydia and gonorrhoea (including in the throat and rectum) are also common.

Heterosexuals, especially those who have sex with different partners, are mainly affected by chlamydia infections, trichomoniasis, and candidiasis as well as gonorrhoea. In the event of sexual contact with people from countries with high syphilis prevalence (e.g. Eastern Europe), syphilis occurs as well.

Adolescents and young adults are more frequently affected by chlamydia infections, which can lead to infertility, in particular in girls and women.

Non-professional sex workers (especially those from countries with high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections) are more commonly affected by gonorrhoea, chlamydia infections, and syphilis than other women.

Drug users and prison inmates, many of whom were or still are injecting drug users, are disproportionately affected by hepatitis, especially by hepatitis B and C.