Posts
A July state health report shows gonorrhea cases are expected to reach a record high this year. Cases of the STD have risen 52 percent since 2006, and last year South Dakota recorded 468 diagnoses — the highest number since 1988, said state epidemiologist Lon Kightlinger.
As of July 31, 304 gonorrhea cases have been logged; Kightlinger said he expects the total for 2011 to surpass 500. Most infections — 159 — have been diagnosed in people ages 15 to 24.
Meanwhile, chlamydia cases in South Dakota are increasing but at a slower rate than gonorrhea, Kightlinger said. The report finds chlamydia cases up 14 percent during the past five years, with 1,864 diagnoses through July. In 2010, 3,192 chlamydia cases were logged.
Nicole Burger, community coordinator and therapist for Volunteers of Americas, Dakotas, said young people are surrounded by a popular culture that promotes “flings” and “hook-ups.” To counteract this, sex education is essential and needs to start for youths as young as 11, she said.
“There’s more sexual activity in front of kids these days and as a consequence, those things we get desensitized to, we tend to do more of,” explained licensed psychologist J.C. Chambers, who stressed the need for education from parents as well as at schools.
“It’s figuring out how to really teach kids the value of their bodies and why it’s important to be careful and responsible about who your partners are,” said Chambers.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
