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• Damian Kadylak^1,2 , Maciej Pastuszczak³ , Justyna Czarny-Kamm^1,2 , Małgorzata Sokołowska-Wojdyło^1,2

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  Affiliations:

  ¹ Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland

  ² Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Clinical Centre, Gdańsk, Poland

  ³ Clinical Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Silesia, Zabrze, Poland

  Correspondence: 

  Damian Kadylak

  damian.kadylak gumed.edu.pl

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BACKGROUND

While bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have increased across Europe over the past decade, Poland continuously reported the lowest notification rates in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA), raising concerns about under-ascertainment and diagnostic gaps.

AIM

We describe national STI trends in Poland from 2013 to 2024, temporal changes around 2020 and subsequent years, and demographic and geographic patterns relevant for STI control.

METHODS

We analysed aggregated statutory surveillance data for syphilis, gonorrhoea and Chlamydia trachomatis infections, and calculated annual incidence rates overall and by sex, age group and voivodeship. Temporal trends were assessed using year-over-year per cent change and average annual per cent change (AAPC) estimated from log-linear models.

RESULTS

All three infections increased modestly before 2020, declined in 2020 and increased markedly thereafter. Between 2013 and 2024, incidence increased 2.7–3.8-fold. It was highest among men, young adults aged 20–34 years and in urbanised regions. By 2023, syphilis incidence reached 7.92 per 100,000 population in Poland compared with 9.9 per 100,000 in the EU/EEA, whereas gonorrhoea and chlamydia incidence remained substantially lower. National AAPC estimates were not statistically significant, although they increased in several demographic groups and voivodeships.

CONCLUSION

Reported bacterial STI notifications in Poland are increasing, particularly among young adults and in urban regions. Persistently low gonorrhoea and chlamydia notification rates relative to EU/EEA levels probably reflect differences in diagnostic access and testing intensity rather than low transmission. Improving surveillance completeness, access to NAAT diagnostics, and testing coverage will be important to enhance detection and control.