Sexually transmitted diseases on the rise
Increase in county greatest among teens

BY TERRY FLORES
tflores@kenoshanews.com

Sexually transmitted diseases, especially among teenagers, are on the rise in Kenosha County.

Gonorrhea rates for ages 15-19 have grown by 290 percent in the last three years, while chlamydia rates increased 34 percent over the last two years, according to data analysis by Kenosha Area Family and Aging Services Inc.

The number of gonorrhea cases for ages 15-19 in the county increased from a low of 19 in 2006 to 74 in 2009, while chlamydia has climbed from 189 in 2007 to 253 in 2009. Rates for each had been on the decline, according to Gary Brown, executive director for the family services agency.

“This is another indication that our teen population is staying sexually active. I don’t think it’s an indicator that more abstinences are occurring,” said Gwen Perry-Brye, nurse practitioner with the Kenosha County Division of Health.

While the county’s overall teen birth rate has been decreasing in recent years, teens are still having sex, said Perry-Brye, who oversees testing for sexually transmitted diseases at the county’s clinics.

High among minorities

Reflecting national trends, chlamydia and gonorrhea affected local African-Americans at a far greater rate than any other racial group. The diseases were 12 to 38 times more prevalent in African-Americans compared with whites.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea rates among local blacks have increased by 10.9 percent and 54.5 percent compared with a 17.7 percent decrease and 11.9 percent increase for whites, all respectively, over the last six years, according to Brown.

Among Kenosha Latinos, chlamydia and gonorrhea rates also have increased 116.7 percent and 172.9 percent, respectively, since 2004.

Causes of higher disease rates in minority communities are difficult to pinpoint, according to Perry-Brye. She said, rather, there are many factors, from the lack of access to health care, education about sexually transmitted diseases, funding for programs and even cultural taboos that can stand in the way of prevention.

Screening, prevention keys

Perry-Brye said that screening services and preventative education are keys to reducing these rates. Perry-Brye said people who suspect they have been exposed to sexually transmitted diseases should be tested.

Sexually transmitted diseases can adversely affect fetuses or infants before and after birth, an issue both Brown and Perry-Brye said is cause for concern as they examine what can be done about Kenosha County’s high infant mortality rates, especially, among African-Americans.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sexually transmitted diseases can lead to pregnancy complications, low birth weight in babies and still births. Babies are also at increased risk for neurological damage and developmental delays.