In accordance with a not too long ago revealed research, Columbia has the next STD fee than Charlotte, Atlanta, and Orlando.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — In accordance with a brand new research, Columbia ranks within the high 21 cities within the nation for prime sexually transmitted illness charges.
In accordance with the newest research from Innerbody, a well being analysis group, the Metropolis of Columbia ranks quantity 21 out of the highest 100 cities in america for STD and HIV charges.
The numbers present there are greater than 1,166 std circumstances per 100,000 individuals within the metropolis, with the best contracted ailments being gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Bernard Gilliard, the state program supervisor for STD and HIV, stated he’s not shocked about Columbia’s rating.
“There are sometimes sure southern metropolitan areas, Charlotte, Columbia, Atlanta, that sometimes are in that high gather,” Gilliard defined. “These are main gathering locations and hubs the place people come collectively to both meet and or interact in different actions, some come to dwell, and others move by means of. That is a most important draw, in addition to generally the setting its largest metropolis presents extra choices, socialization choices, which are maybe much less stigmatized or much less centered on golf equipment, bars, venues for, , nightlife actions and such.”
He stated the highest age teams for contracting STDs vary from 18-35, however routine STD testing is inspired for individuals 18-24.
Gilliard stated DHEC presents testing for everybody who wants it.
“On a day-to-day foundation, now we have a minimum of one STI clinic website in every of our 46 counties, generally known as public well being clinics. They’re housed in county well being departments… They function sometimes 5 days every week, Monday by means of Friday, 8:00 or 8:30 until about 4 or 4:30,” Gilliard stated.
Though testing is obtainable, Gilliard stated many circumstances go unreported and testing that ought to occur however doesn’t.
Intercourse educator Tammaka Staley is the chief of the group YASE, or youth-affirming intercourse schooling. That serves teenagers and pre-teens within the Carolinas.
She stated speaking about intercourse is one of the best ways to curb the unfold of STDs.
“As soon as adults begin getting actual concerning the root of the problem of why we do not wish to speak about intercourse, why we do not wish to speak about getting examined, so let’s get to the foundation of that then we will begin modeling for our kids, like ‘that is what occurs’, ‘that is what you are speculated to do as a accountable grownup if you find yourself able to have intercourse, and if you find yourself of the consenting age to take action, that is what you are speculated to do to guard your self,” Staley stated.
DHEC has an STD and HIV hotline that you would be able to name for assist discovering testing at 1-800-322-2437 and a information for locating native testing and PrEP.