Public health officials involved in STD awareness

ALBANY — During STD Awareness Month, the Albany-based Southwest Public Health District is maintaining ongoing efforts to stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases by offering free testing, education and dispensing of free condoms.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said sexually transmitted diseases are at a record high in the United States. The 14-county health district is seeing higher rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea than other sexually transmitted infections, district Epidemiologist Jacqueline Jenkins said.

However, she said, all STD infections are worrisome.

“HIV/AIDS is of significant importance to Public Health due to its continued rise in certain populations and its clustering in the rural South,” she said. “Because of our high rates, social stigmas, and the advancement in treatment and prevention option, heightening awareness of HIV/AIDS is a priority in our area.”

Jenkins said youths ages 13 through 18 and adults ages 19 through 24 are a priority for all sexually transmitted infections.

“Young black and Latino males who have sex with males are a priority for HIV/STDs,” she said.

Testing, other than for HIV, is available at county health departments at little or no cost, and STD and HIV testing can be accessed at an individual’s health care provider. In order to help spread the message of awareness, the district has been working with partners to help protect college students against STDs.

“The only way to be sure about your HIV and STD status is to get tested,” Remy Hutchins, the district’s infectious disease program director, said. “HIV testing and condoms are provided at no cost at local health departments.

“We have collaborated with Albany State University Student Health Services and Project S.T.O.P. to provide HIV and STD testing at ASU East and West campuses this month. In addition, we are working with local area nightclubs to set up free condom dispensers to increase access to condoms in the community.”

Public health officials said correct use of condoms provides a high level of protection against contracting most sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infections. In addition to HIV/AIDS, STDs can result in infertility, pregnancy complications, pelvic abscesses, abdominal pain and recurrent skin sores.

There are ways to interrupt the spread of STDs, said Health District Director Dr. Charles Ruis.

“Three powerful ways are through abstinence, monogamy and condom use,” he said.

Other ways include:

— Talk: Talk openly about STDs with partners and health care providers.

— Test: Get tested. It’s the only way for a person to know if they have an STD.

— Treat: If a person has an STD, they can work with their health care provider to get the right medicine for them and their partners.

To learn more about STDs, go to www.cdc.gov/std/hiv/.