Let’s talk about sex!
07/28/2026As part of an interview-based study, Würzburg University Hospital is looking for people who have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection at a Bavarian GP practice in the past five years.
Ildikó Gágyor is a general practitioner and researcher; together with Anne Simmenroth, she heads the Institute of General Practice at Würzburg University Hospital (UKW). Gágyor and her research team are currently conducting the STI-Bay interview study – in this context, STI stands for sexually transmitted infections.
“We want to understand how the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections currently takes place in Bavaria and, where necessary, improve these processes,” explains Nicolas Schwager, medical coordinator of the STI-Bay study. Both GPs from Bavaria and patients are being interviewed.
Information on taking part
Participating patients should be at least 18 years old and have been diagnosed with an STI at a Bavarian GP practice within the past five years. “We are specifically looking for people of all genders and sexual orientations,” says Nicolas Schwager. “In the confidential interview, which lasts around 60 minutes, we would like to discuss their experiences. How did those affected experience the treatment and care provided by the healthcare system?”
Participation is, of course, voluntary and takes place in accordance with strict data protection measures. The interviews will be conducted either in person at the UKW or online. After the interview, participants will receive an allowance in the form of a gift voucher of their choice worth 40 euros.
Anyone interested in taking part in the study can register here. Alternatively, the study team can be contacted by email at STI-Bay@ukw.de.
Sexually transmitted infections: Background
Sexually transmitted infections have been rising sharply in Europe for years and have recently reached a new high. Current data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) show that cases of gonorrhoea in Europe have quadrupled since 2015 and cases of syphilis have doubled. Infections with chlamydia were the most commonly reported.
Sexually transmitted infections may be accompanied by symptoms, but often progress without any noticeable signs. As a result, they frequently go unnoticed and can be passed on unwittingly. Furthermore, these infections can cause serious complications such as chronic pain, infertility or damage to the heart or nervous system. In 2024, 9,519 cases of syphilis were reported to the Robert Koch Institute in Germany.
“Protecting sexual health involves both preventative measures and early diagnosis,” says Ildikó Gágyor. She recommends: “Barrier methods such as condoms can reduce the risk of STI transmission. If there is an increased risk of exposure, regular testing may be advisable even in the absence of symptoms. And if an infection is suspected, a medical assessment should be carried out promptly to prevent complications and further transmission.”
ECDC sees a need for action
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), reversing the rising STI figures requires easily accessible prevention services, straightforward access to testing, faster treatment and improved notification of sexual partners to prevent further transmission.
The ECDC is therefore calling on health authorities to urgently update national STI strategies and expand surveillance systems in order to better assess the effectiveness of prevention measures. Without decisive action, current trends are likely to continue – with increasing health consequences and growing inequalities in access to healthcare.
