STI Prioritisation Framework published
In response to the continued rise in new diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) over the past decade, UKHSA has led work to develop an STI Prioritisation Framework with a focus on preventing adverse health outcomes and reducing health inequalities. The framework was published on 10 October 2024 and can be found here.
The framework provides an evidence based, structured approach to inform local prioritisation across different populations and pathogens based on our understanding of the adverse health outcomes caused by STIs and the health inequalities we see across different population groups.
The framework, combined with ongoing support from UKHSA, will enable the broad range of organisations responsible for any aspect of planning and delivering sexual health services, to identify which combination of interventions to focus on for which populations, informed by the local situation.
The STI Prioritisation Framework
STIs impact different groups in society unequally. Some STIs cause more severe health problems in certain groups compared to others (health inequalities), whilst some groups face greater barriers to accessing services (health inequities). This STI Prioritisation Framework shifts the focus of STI control efforts towards reducing adverse health outcomes and addressing inequalities. The framework provides a clear template for prioritisation, within existing resources and commissioning arrangements. The people and the populations affected by STIs are central to the framework, acknowledging these populations will be heterogenous and that there will be intersectionality between groups.
The STI Prioritisation Framework can be found here. Supporting documents include:
• Further resources and guidance
• Templates for evaluation of locally implemented interventions
• A high level framework to evaluate the implementation of the STI Prioritisation Framework over time (further work on this is in development)
The framework, developed with extensive stakeholder engagement, includes the results from a national consensus process on how interventions can be prioritised across different population groups to optimise the desired outcomes of reducing adverse outcomes and inequalities relating to STIs. An overview of methodology used to inform cost analysis is also provided.
Three components to the STI Prioritisation Framework
To achieve the vision and support making decisions on local prioritisation of resources, there are three components local areas need to review:
S = Situation
Consider the local situation in terms of needs of the local population (those at risk of adverse sexual health outcomes), demand for a service (those individuals who are willing to use a service) and supply of services (provision, availability, and accessibility).
T = Target
Next, consider target groups, identifying the population groups and infections that should be prioritised to prevent adverse health outcomes and reduce inequalities associated with STIs.
I = Interventions
For each target group, identify, tailor, implement, and evaluate the most appropriate intervention(s) across seven domains: Education & Empowerment, Condoms, Biomedical Interventions, Diagnostic Technologies, Testing, Treatment, and Partner Notification.
Further support
If you would like support to apply the STI Prioritisation Framework locally, please discuss further with your local UKHSA Sexual Health Facilitator:
East of England: Shahin.Parmar@ukhsa.gov.uk
East Midlands: Andy.Raynor@ukhsa.gov.uk
London: Helen.Corkin@ukhsa.gov.uk
Northeast: Dawn.Phillips@ukhsa.gov.uk
Northwest: Jon.Dunn@ukhsa.gov.uk
Southeast: Kate.Donohoe@ukhsa.gov.uk
Southwest: Mark.Mcnally@ukhsa.gov.uk
West Midlands: Danielle.Jayes@ukhsa.gov.uk
Yorkshire and Humber: Georgina.Wilkinson@ukhsa.gov.uk