Sharp increase in STIs recorded across the country

Unlike other places, data shows a rise of STD cases in Sacramento County since 2013. Out of the 58 states in California, Sacramento County had the sixth highest rate of chlamydia, eighth highest rate of gonorrhoea and tenth highest rate of primary and secondary syphilis. In 2016, Sacramento County ranked 20th for chlamydia rates, 14th for gonorrhoea rates and 3rd for both primary and secondary syphilis.

 Decreased condom use blamed

The reason of such a rise is highly associated with the decreased condom use, multiple partners from social media and dating apps and accessibility of care for treatment. There are probable cures for such infections but if left untreated, long term health problems would result.

A greater concern has risen due to the ever increasing rate in congenital syphilis that is transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancies. This is a very devastating situation to the fetus when transmission occurs especially to those women who cannot access the prenatal care. However, for the infected women and accessing the prenatal care facilities then syphilis and STD testing is a routine practice and the disease can be treated easily.

 Risk of still births in women

Congenital syphilis would lead to stillbirths as was the case in 2017 where 30 fetuses died. There have been rises in congenital syphilis in California since 2012-2016 with a 500% increase. California records the second leading rate of congenital syphilis in the nation and a rate of 41 per 100000 live births as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Locally, the congenital syphilis cases tripled from 2013 to 2017 with six cases being in Sacramento. Bauer says that it is so fascinating that some health care providers have never seen congenital syphilis cases since most women seek care afterwards.

Of the associated reasons for the STDs rise cases CDPH attaches the theory of decreased condom use as the most probable alongside the multiple partners. There are efforts to bring up health projects to do STD testing and treat these increasing cases although there are problems with funding of such projects. Bauer exclaimed that in 2008 some clinics were forced to close although some of the services lost then are being returned.

The officials exclaimed that one time funding may not be adequate to facilitate effective care and maintenance of this situation to a decreasing trend. There need a multi-effort to improve the health infrastructure, bring up pilot –education programs, paying staff that will offer these services, routine testing and treatment even among the partners of the infected individuals.

Contributor: admin