Sexually spread diseases up in S.D.

[Thunderwolf, MSN, RN]

Some sexually transmitted diseases peaked at record levels last year in South Dakota, according to the state Health Department's infectious disease report for 2008.

Chlamydia cases reached an all-time high of 2,948, up 328 from 2007, provisional data in the report indicate. Reports of gonorrhea rose 29.4 percent to 370 - the highest since 1988.

The number of HIV/AIDS cases returned to the 2006 mark of 34, compared with 25 in 2007.

State Epidemiologist Lon Kightlinger points to a failure of following basic prevention guidelines such as abstinence or monogamous sex.

"Sexually transmitted diseases are a complex bag of prevention, treatment and personal behavior," he said. "There needs to be more abstinence, mono-gamy and, if that fails, safe sex."

Kightlinger cited higher cases of chlamydia in western counties because Native American rates are high. What might be driving those higher numbers is a good screening program with Indian Health Services on the reservations, he said.

One Native American health official blames the rise in sexually transmitted diseases on a lack of sex education in schools.

"The statistics are proof that young people need sex education to be able to protect themselves," said Charon Asetoyer, executive director of Native American Women's Health Education Resource Center in Lake Andes. "If you do not have the tools to protect yourself - the information - you are going to see an increase in the number of sexually transmitted diseases."

Complete article found here:

http://www.argusleader.com/article/20090112/NEWS/901120328/1001