❓ A parliamentary question highlights alarming increases in STIs among children in WA since Labor took office. The Minister acknowledges the increases, attributing them to improved screening and reporting, while also outlining government initiatives to address the issue.
AnsweredQoN 505Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CHILDREN - SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES
I refer to horrific new health department figures for sexually transmitted diseases in children. Is the minister aware of the following - (a) the gonorrhoea infection rate for children from birth to 14 years in the south metropolitan area in 2005 was five times higher than when Labor came to government; (b) the total rate of sexually transmitted diseases in children aged from birth to 14 years in the Pilbara-Gascoyne has increased threefold since Labor came to government; (c) there has been a dramatic increase in STD infection rates in Kimberley children from birth to nine years in the last two years, and their infection rate has increased fourfold since Labor came to government; (d) nineteen Aboriginal babies, toddlers and preschoolers aged 0-4 years were infected with chlamydia and gonorrhoea since Labor came to government; and (e) as at 2005, the statewide gonorrhoea infection rate in Aboriginal children aged 10-14 years was up by 87 per cent since Labor came to government? Hon SUE ELLERY
I refer to horrific new health department figures for sexually transmitted diseases in children. Is the minister aware of the following - (a) the gonorrhoea infection rate for children from birth to 14 years in the south metropolitan area in 2005 was five times higher than when Labor came to government; (b) the total rate of sexually transmitted diseases in children aged from birth to 14 years in the Pilbara-Gascoyne has increased threefold since Labor came to government; (c) there has been a dramatic increase in STD infection rates in Kimberley children from birth to nine years in the last two years, and their infection rate has increased fourfold since Labor came to government; (d) nineteen Aboriginal babies, toddlers and preschoolers aged 0-4 years were infected with chlamydia and gonorrhoea since Labor came to government; and (e) as at 2005, the statewide gonorrhoea infection rate in Aboriginal children aged 10-14 years was up by 87 per cent since Labor came to government? Hon SUE ELLERY
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. Gross rates of sexually transmitted infections have increased significantly over the last five years. There are a number of reasons for this. (a) Yes. In the south metropolitan areas a new policy to implement screening in juvenile justice centres was commenced early 2005. This identified significant numbers of infections in people previously not screened, and therefore undetected. (b) Yes. WA altered its screening processes during the time of the Labor Government so that less invasive urine tests could be used to make the diagnosis. This again increased detection rates over and above previous levels. (c) Yes. Early during the time of the Labor government, reporting of sexually transmitted infections from public laboratories commenced. This again increased notification without changing background rates. (d) Yes. The Department of Health, because of concerns about STI rates, introduced a public awareness program to encourage adolescents to have testing during 2005. This again increased detection rates. (e) Yes. There has been an Australia-wide increase in STIs over the last two years that is mirrored in WA. While much of the increase in STI rates in WA is due to altered processes for screening and reporting, the WA government is concerned about the WA component of the national epidemic. For this reason the government has developed an Aboriginal sexual health strategy and committed $500 000 a year to its implementation. In addition to this response, the government has set up an interdepartmental committee involving the Department of Health, Department of Community Development and the WA Police to ensure that every case of STI in a child under the age of 14 years is fully investigated.
(b) the total rate of sexually transmitted diseases in children aged from birth to 14 years in the Pilbara-Gascoyne has increased threefold since Labor came to government; (c) there has been a dramatic increase in STD infection rates in Kimberley children from birth to nine years in the last two years, and their infection rate has increased fourfold since Labor came to government; (d) nineteen Aboriginal babies, toddlers and preschoolers aged 0-4 years were infected with chlamydia and gonorrhoea since Labor came to government; and (e) as at 2005, the statewide gonorrhoea infection rate in Aboriginal children aged 10-14 years was up by 87 per cent since Labor came to government?
(c) there has been a dramatic increase in STD infection rates in Kimberley children from birth to nine years in the last two years, and their infection rate has increased fourfold since Labor came to government; (d) nineteen Aboriginal babies, toddlers and preschoolers aged 0-4 years were infected with chlamydia and gonorrhoea since Labor came to government; and (e) as at 2005, the statewide gonorrhoea infection rate in Aboriginal children aged 10-14 years was up by 87 per cent since Labor came to government?
(d) nineteen Aboriginal babies, toddlers and preschoolers aged 0-4 years were infected with chlamydia and gonorrhoea since Labor came to government; and (e) as at 2005, the statewide gonorrhoea infection rate in Aboriginal children aged 10-14 years was up by 87 per cent since Labor came to government?
(e) as at 2005, the statewide gonorrhoea infection rate in Aboriginal children aged 10-14 years was up by 87 per cent since Labor came to government?
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. Gross rates of sexually transmitted infections have increased significantly over the last five years. There are a number of reasons for this. (a) Yes. In the south metropolitan areas a new policy to implement screening in juvenile justice centres was commenced early 2005. This identified significant numbers of infections in people previously not screened, and therefore undetected. (b) Yes. WA altered its screening processes during the time of the Labor Government so that less invasive urine tests could be used to make the diagnosis. This again increased detection rates over and above previous levels. (c) Yes. Early during the time of the Labor government, reporting of sexually transmitted infections from public laboratories commenced. This again increased notification without changing background rates. (d) Yes. The Department of Health, because of concerns about STI rates, introduced a public awareness program to encourage adolescents to have testing during 2005. This again increased detection rates. (e) Yes. There has been an Australia-wide increase in STIs over the last two years that is mirrored in WA. While much of the increase in STI rates in WA is due to altered processes for screening and reporting, the WA government is concerned about the WA component of the national epidemic. For this reason the government has developed an Aboriginal sexual health strategy and committed $500 000 a year to its implementation. In addition to this response, the government has set up an interdepartmental committee involving the Department of Health, Department of Community Development and the WA Police to ensure that every case of STI in a child under the age of 14 years is fully investigated.
(a) Yes. In the south metropolitan areas a new policy to implement screening in juvenile justice centres was commenced early 2005. This identified significant numbers of infections in people previously not screened, and therefore undetected. (b) Yes. WA altered its screening processes during the time of the Labor Government so that less invasive urine tests could be used to make the diagnosis. This again increased detection rates over and above previous levels. (c) Yes. Early during the time of the Labor government, reporting of sexually transmitted infections from public laboratories commenced. This again increased notification without changing background rates. (d) Yes. The Department of Health, because of concerns about STI rates, introduced a public awareness program to encourage adolescents to have testing during 2005. This again increased detection rates. (e) Yes. There has been an Australia-wide increase in STIs over the last two years that is mirrored in WA. While much of the increase in STI rates in WA is due to altered processes for screening and reporting, the WA government is concerned about the WA component of the national epidemic. For this reason the government has developed an Aboriginal sexual health strategy and committed $500 000 a year to its implementation. In addition to this response, the government has set up an interdepartmental committee involving the Department of Health, Department of Community Development and the WA Police to ensure that every case of STI in a child under the age of 14 years is fully investigated.
(b) Yes. WA altered its screening processes during the time of the Labor Government so that less invasive urine tests could be used to make the diagnosis. This again increased detection rates over and above previous levels. (c) Yes. Early during the time of the Labor government, reporting of sexually transmitted infections from public laboratories commenced. This again increased notification without changing background rates. (d) Yes. The Department of Health, because of concerns about STI rates, introduced a public awareness program to encourage adolescents to have testing during 2005. This again increased detection rates. (e) Yes. There has been an Australia-wide increase in STIs over the last two years that is mirrored in WA. While much of the increase in STI rates in WA is due to altered processes for screening and reporting, the WA government is concerned about the WA component of the national epidemic. For this reason the government has developed an Aboriginal sexual health strategy and committed $500 000 a year to its implementation. In addition to this response, the government has set up an interdepartmental committee involving the Department of Health, Department of Community Development and the WA Police to ensure that every case of STI in a child under the age of 14 years is fully investigated.
(c) Yes. Early during the time of the Labor government, reporting of sexually transmitted infections from public laboratories commenced. This again increased notification without changing background rates. (d) Yes. The Department of Health, because of concerns about STI rates, introduced a public awareness program to encourage adolescents to have testing during 2005. This again increased detection rates. (e) Yes. There has been an Australia-wide increase in STIs over the last two years that is mirrored in WA. While much of the increase in STI rates in WA is due to altered processes for screening and reporting, the WA government is concerned about the WA component of the national epidemic. For this reason the government has developed an Aboriginal sexual health strategy and committed $500 000 a year to its implementation. In addition to this response, the government has set up an interdepartmental committee involving the Department of Health, Department of Community Development and the WA Police to ensure that every case of STI in a child under the age of 14 years is fully investigated.
(d) Yes. The Department of Health, because of concerns about STI rates, introduced a public awareness program to encourage adolescents to have testing during 2005. This again increased detection rates. (e) Yes. There has been an Australia-wide increase in STIs over the last two years that is mirrored in WA. While much of the increase in STI rates in WA is due to altered processes for screening and reporting, the WA government is concerned about the WA component of the national epidemic. For this reason the government has developed an Aboriginal sexual health strategy and committed $500 000 a year to its implementation. In addition to this response, the government has set up an interdepartmental committee involving the Department of Health, Department of Community Development and the WA Police to ensure that every case of STI in a child under the age of 14 years is fully investigated.
(e) Yes. There has been an Australia-wide increase in STIs over the last two years that is mirrored in WA. While much of the increase in STI rates in WA is due to altered processes for screening and reporting, the WA government is concerned about the WA component of the national epidemic. For this reason the government has developed an Aboriginal sexual health strategy and committed $500 000 a year to its implementation. In addition to this response, the government has set up an interdepartmental committee involving the Department of Health, Department of Community Development and the WA Police to ensure that every case of STI in a child under the age of 14 years is fully investigated.
While much of the increase in STI rates in WA is due to altered processes for screening and reporting, the WA government is concerned about the WA component of the national epidemic. For this reason the government has developed an Aboriginal sexual health strategy and committed $500 000 a year to its implementation. In addition to this response, the government has set up an interdepartmental committee involving the Department of Health, Department of Community Development and the WA Police to ensure that every case of STI in a child under the age of 14 years is fully investigated.
(b) the total rate of sexually transmitted diseases in children aged from birth to 14 years in the Pilbara-Gascoyne has increased threefold since Labor came to government; (c) there has been a dramatic increase in STD infection rates in Kimberley children from birth to nine years in the last two years, and their infection rate has increased fourfold since Labor came to government; (d) nineteen Aboriginal babies, toddlers and preschoolers aged 0-4 years were infected with chlamydia and gonorrhoea since Labor came to government; and (e) as at 2005, the statewide gonorrhoea infection rate in Aboriginal children aged 10-14 years was up by 87 per cent since Labor came to government?
(c) there has been a dramatic increase in STD infection rates in Kimberley children from birth to nine years in the last two years, and their infection rate has increased fourfold since Labor came to government; (d) nineteen Aboriginal babies, toddlers and preschoolers aged 0-4 years were infected with chlamydia and gonorrhoea since Labor came to government; and (e) as at 2005, the statewide gonorrhoea infection rate in Aboriginal children aged 10-14 years was up by 87 per cent since Labor came to government?
(d) nineteen Aboriginal babies, toddlers and preschoolers aged 0-4 years were infected with chlamydia and gonorrhoea since Labor came to government; and (e) as at 2005, the statewide gonorrhoea infection rate in Aboriginal children aged 10-14 years was up by 87 per cent since Labor came to government?
(e) as at 2005, the statewide gonorrhoea infection rate in Aboriginal children aged 10-14 years was up by 87 per cent since Labor came to government?
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. Gross rates of sexually transmitted infections have increased significantly over the last five years. There are a number of reasons for this. (a) Yes. In the south metropolitan areas a new policy to implement screening in juvenile justice centres was commenced early 2005. This identified significant numbers of infections in people previously not screened, and therefore undetected. (b) Yes. WA altered its screening processes during the time of the Labor Government so that less invasive urine tests could be used to make the diagnosis. This again increased detection rates over and above previous levels. (c) Yes. Early during the time of the Labor government, reporting of sexually transmitted infections from public laboratories commenced. This again increased notification without changing background rates. (d) Yes. The Department of Health, because of concerns about STI rates, introduced a public awareness program to encourage adolescents to have testing during 2005. This again increased detection rates. (e) Yes. There has been an Australia-wide increase in STIs over the last two years that is mirrored in WA. While much of the increase in STI rates in WA is due to altered processes for screening and reporting, the WA government is concerned about the WA component of the national epidemic. For this reason the government has developed an Aboriginal sexual health strategy and committed $500 000 a year to its implementation. In addition to this response, the government has set up an interdepartmental committee involving the Department of Health, Department of Community Development and the WA Police to ensure that every case of STI in a child under the age of 14 years is fully investigated.
(a) Yes. In the south metropolitan areas a new policy to implement screening in juvenile justice centres was commenced early 2005. This identified significant numbers of infections in people previously not screened, and therefore undetected. (b) Yes. WA altered its screening processes during the time of the Labor Government so that less invasive urine tests could be used to make the diagnosis. This again increased detection rates over and above previous levels. (c) Yes. Early during the time of the Labor government, reporting of sexually transmitted infections from public laboratories commenced. This again increased notification without changing background rates. (d) Yes. The Department of Health, because of concerns about STI rates, introduced a public awareness program to encourage adolescents to have testing during 2005. This again increased detection rates. (e) Yes. There has been an Australia-wide increase in STIs over the last two years that is mirrored in WA. While much of the increase in STI rates in WA is due to altered processes for screening and reporting, the WA government is concerned about the WA component of the national epidemic. For this reason the government has developed an Aboriginal sexual health strategy and committed $500 000 a year to its implementation. In addition to this response, the government has set up an interdepartmental committee involving the Department of Health, Department of Community Development and the WA Police to ensure that every case of STI in a child under the age of 14 years is fully investigated.
(b) Yes. WA altered its screening processes during the time of the Labor Government so that less invasive urine tests could be used to make the diagnosis. This again increased detection rates over and above previous levels. (c) Yes. Early during the time of the Labor government, reporting of sexually transmitted infections from public laboratories commenced. This again increased notification without changing background rates. (d) Yes. The Department of Health, because of concerns about STI rates, introduced a public awareness program to encourage adolescents to have testing during 2005. This again increased detection rates. (e) Yes. There has been an Australia-wide increase in STIs over the last two years that is mirrored in WA. While much of the increase in STI rates in WA is due to altered processes for screening and reporting, the WA government is concerned about the WA component of the national epidemic. For this reason the government has developed an Aboriginal sexual health strategy and committed $500 000 a year to its implementation. In addition to this response, the government has set up an interdepartmental committee involving the Department of Health, Department of Community Development and the WA Police to ensure that every case of STI in a child under the age of 14 years is fully investigated.
(c) Yes. Early during the time of the Labor government, reporting of sexually transmitted infections from public laboratories commenced. This again increased notification without changing background rates. (d) Yes. The Department of Health, because of concerns about STI rates, introduced a public awareness program to encourage adolescents to have testing during 2005. This again increased detection rates. (e) Yes. There has been an Australia-wide increase in STIs over the last two years that is mirrored in WA. While much of the increase in STI rates in WA is due to altered processes for screening and reporting, the WA government is concerned about the WA component of the national epidemic. For this reason the government has developed an Aboriginal sexual health strategy and committed $500 000 a year to its implementation. In addition to this response, the government has set up an interdepartmental committee involving the Department of Health, Department of Community Development and the WA Police to ensure that every case of STI in a child under the age of 14 years is fully investigated.
(d) Yes. The Department of Health, because of concerns about STI rates, introduced a public awareness program to encourage adolescents to have testing during 2005. This again increased detection rates. (e) Yes. There has been an Australia-wide increase in STIs over the last two years that is mirrored in WA. While much of the increase in STI rates in WA is due to altered processes for screening and reporting, the WA government is concerned about the WA component of the national epidemic. For this reason the government has developed an Aboriginal sexual health strategy and committed $500 000 a year to its implementation. In addition to this response, the government has set up an interdepartmental committee involving the Department of Health, Department of Community Development and the WA Police to ensure that every case of STI in a child under the age of 14 years is fully investigated.
(e) Yes. There has been an Australia-wide increase in STIs over the last two years that is mirrored in WA. While much of the increase in STI rates in WA is due to altered processes for screening and reporting, the WA government is concerned about the WA component of the national epidemic. For this reason the government has developed an Aboriginal sexual health strategy and committed $500 000 a year to its implementation. In addition to this response, the government has set up an interdepartmental committee involving the Department of Health, Department of Community Development and the WA Police to ensure that every case of STI in a child under the age of 14 years is fully investigated.
While much of the increase in STI rates in WA is due to altered processes for screening and reporting, the WA government is concerned about the WA component of the national epidemic. For this reason the government has developed an Aboriginal sexual health strategy and committed $500 000 a year to its implementation. In addition to this response, the government has set up an interdepartmental committee involving the Department of Health, Department of Community Development and the WA Police to ensure that every case of STI in a child under the age of 14 years is fully investigated.
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