Caution call on sex disease idea

People might avoid tests for sexually transmitted infections if they were made notifiable diseases, a sexual health expert says.

The Health Ministry is considering adding common STIs to New Zealand's notifiable diseases and yesterday called for submissions as part of a review of the official list.

The STIs could include chlamydia, genital warts, gonorrhoea and syphilis. Chlamydia and genital warts are the two most common STIs in New Zealand.

But knowing their name and details could be passed on for registration might repel people from being tested and treated, Family Planning Association national medical adviser Christine Roke said.

"We don't want to move to a place where, if you go for a check for an STI and it's positive, your name and details are automatically forwarded to the medical officer of health," Dr Roke said.

"We believe that could be counter-productive and are getting quite cautious about how far it should go."

Young people, who suffered higher infection rates, could easily be put off over privacy issues, Dr Roke said.

An "acceptable solution" could be anonymous notification.

The FPA would make a submission on the ministry's discussion paper on the list's review.

"It's important consumers get a chance to comment on this, too, but the impression we get from our clinics is that people would not be taken with the idea of named notification of STIs," Dr Roke said.

The discussion paper also identifies acute gastroenteritis, hepatitis C, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and campylobacteriosis as diseases that require more sector debate before they are added or removed from the list.

Submissions close on June 30.

- NZPA