What Causes The Increase In STDs?

For this reason, the people who are active sexually are encouraged to go for testing and take up treatment if need be. “Regular STD testing and sticking to specific sex partners should help manage this crisis,” said Joni Hensley. It was observed that Chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis were prevalent in this state with a higher rate of infection being among men who have sex with men and also in women at the age of 20-24 years being more susceptible to Chlamydia infection.

The Numbers

The reports reveal a rise by 67% of STDs cases diagnosed from 2016 reaching to 914 in 2017. Of this, gonorrhea cases rose from 45 to 147, which translated to arise from 48 per 100000 people to 68 per 100000 since 2016. Chlamydia cases rose by 16 cases from708 translating it to a rise in the rate to 327.3 per 100000. Herpes cases too rose by eight cases to a total of 53 which is an increase in the rate to 24.5 per 100000.however, syphilis dropped by two for a total of six cases and thus even difficult to determine the rate.

Factors contributing to the rise of STIs

They include:

  • Lack of knowledge about sexual health
  • Increase in anonymous sex partners
  • Inability to contact them for testing and treatment
  • Limited availability and accessibility of sexual health services

The highest rise of STIs rates were identified in younger people at the age of 25 and below. However, their distinction was done based on age and genders where Chlamydia rates are higher among females while those of gonorrhea higher among the males.

With this increasing rise, the population is now being advised to ensure regular testing since this STDs have mild to no symptoms and if left untreated would cause serious infections, especially for pregnant women.

The following prevention and testing methods against STIs should be employed:

  • regular STD testing
  • asking questions to obtain knowledge about sexual health
  • have good partner communication
  • using barrier methods like condoms
  • administration of antibiotics(not effective in multi-drug resistant gonorrhea strain)

There are more advantages to prevent the rise of STIs infection than to cure it.

 

Contributor: admin