2008 Woodie Awards
Chlamydia rates up statewide
Patsy Morrow
Issue date: 9/27/07 Section: News
Chlamydia rates have almost doubled statewide over the past decade, reflecting a trend school health officials believe exists at the university, too.
While the University Health Center cannot determine the exact number of cases here, Sexual Health Program Coordinator Alli Matson said the center has seen an overall rise in the number of sexually transmitted infections on campus. Chlamydia tops the list of STIs reported at the university, she said.
Chlamydia is one of the most common STIs in the country, but is still underreported, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In more than half the cases, the person exhibits no outward symptoms, making it challenging for health officials to convince people to get tested.
If left untreated, however, the infection can spread through the reproductive tract and cause sterility in women.
The age group most affected includes 16- to 24-year-olds, said Barbara Conrad, director of the state's sexually transmitted disease program. She warned college students to get tested regularly.
"The more you test, the more you find," she said.
Reported cases in Prince George's County went up from 2,754 in 1997 to 5,422 in 2006. Prince George's County was second of all Maryland counties in terms of percentage increase in chlamydia cases reported from 2005 to 2006. Health officials agree this is because chlamydia tests have become less invasive. Doctors now are able to simply test a urine sample while, in the past, they had to swab the genital area.
"[The numbers are] a big deal, but I think it had been blown a bit out of proportion," Matson said. "The good thing about it is that is makes people go out and get tested."
Dr. Donald Shell, the Prince George's County health officer, disagrees.
"I think the increase is reality and we believe the numbers," he said. "Anytime you have a population that's sexually active, it's accepted that 50 percent of [that population] has been exposed."
To educate students about the importance of being tested, the health center is launching an education campaign for the campus. The campaign will involve marketing materials, an information session and other resources to inform students about the importance of using protection and getting tested.
"Women on birth control sometimes decide not to use condoms," said Matson. "They think, 'Well, he looks clean,' but lack of a condom can definitely put partners at an increased risk."
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While the University Health Center cannot determine the exact number of cases here, Sexual Health Program Coordinator Alli Matson said the center has seen an overall rise in the number of sexually transmitted infections on campus. Chlamydia tops the list of STIs reported at the university, she said.
Chlamydia is one of the most common STIs in the country, but is still underreported, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In more than half the cases, the person exhibits no outward symptoms, making it challenging for health officials to convince people to get tested.
If left untreated, however, the infection can spread through the reproductive tract and cause sterility in women.
The age group most affected includes 16- to 24-year-olds, said Barbara Conrad, director of the state's sexually transmitted disease program. She warned college students to get tested regularly.
"The more you test, the more you find," she said.
Reported cases in Prince George's County went up from 2,754 in 1997 to 5,422 in 2006. Prince George's County was second of all Maryland counties in terms of percentage increase in chlamydia cases reported from 2005 to 2006. Health officials agree this is because chlamydia tests have become less invasive. Doctors now are able to simply test a urine sample while, in the past, they had to swab the genital area.
"[The numbers are] a big deal, but I think it had been blown a bit out of proportion," Matson said. "The good thing about it is that is makes people go out and get tested."
Dr. Donald Shell, the Prince George's County health officer, disagrees.
"I think the increase is reality and we believe the numbers," he said. "Anytime you have a population that's sexually active, it's accepted that 50 percent of [that population] has been exposed."
To educate students about the importance of being tested, the health center is launching an education campaign for the campus. The campaign will involve marketing materials, an information session and other resources to inform students about the importance of using protection and getting tested.
"Women on birth control sometimes decide not to use condoms," said Matson. "They think, 'Well, he looks clean,' but lack of a condom can definitely put partners at an increased risk."
morrowdbk@gmail.com
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Chlamydia Epidemic
posted 1/18/08 @ 10:39 PM EST
Chlamydia is really becoming quite the epidemic. More than doubled as you said is way too many people. Especially since it's so easily prevented and treated. (Continued…)
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