Free STD Testing in Bridgeport, CT

Well known for its historic charm dating back to the Revolutionary War, the city of Bridgeport is also seeing a rise in the number of sexually transmitted diseases reported each year, and statistics indicate that this trend has been occurring over the last twenty years.

It is this steady increase that has health officials worried, and many consider this proof that residents are not taking their sexual health seriously. It is not only Chlamydia that is on the rise, but incident rates for primary and secondary Syphilis are also increasing at an alarming rate. While many people thought that this STD was well under control statistics show that diagnoses have been increasing in frequency, especially during the past ten years.

The statistics are showing that it is not only teens and young adults that are at risk for contracting a venereal disease, but older residents are also testing positive more often. African Americans are also among those with the greatest risk, and women often test positive for a STD more often than men. While these statistics were not particularly surprising to health professionals, the growing number of older Caucasian men who are also being diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease is causing concern.

Some of the recent statistics that has health officials worried include,

• In 2007 there were 1,167 Chlamydia incidents reported compared to 1,294 in 2011.
• The Syphilis rate increased by three percent between 2007 and 2011.
• Gonorrhea incidents for Caucasian men ages 20 to 24 in 2011 was 29 compared to 176 reported cases in African American men in the same age group.

Even though one of the best ways to prevent the spread of STDs is through sexual education classes, this is still not a requirement in the public school system. Students are taught the basics regarding sexual development and HIV/AIDS, but any other information included is left up to the discretion of the city school board.

Unfortunately this has resulted in the majority of teens and young adults never receiving the information they need to protect themselves adequately from sexually transmitted diseases. Instead of teaching sexual education classes, most public schools rely on the abstinence only program recommended by the federal government. While abstinence is effective at reducing the number of teenage pregnancies reported each year, it has very little impact on preventing or slowing the spread of STDs.

Not all sexually transmitted diseases are spread strictly through intercourse some, like the Herpes virus can be some through casual touch. Without this information teens will continually be at risk, and this is also one of the reasons why the STD rate is so high in young adults. Regular Herpes testing in Bridgeport can slow down the spread of this virus, which is especially prevalent in area high schools. Regular HIV testing in Bridgeport is also vital to your continued good health, and the simple procedure only takes a few minutes of your time.

It is hard to believe that this picturesque city is seeing a rise in STD rates, but recent statistics indicate that this is the case. There are several reasons why the city is seeing a greater number of STD incidents, and one of the main causes is its close proximity to NYC. With residents visiting the “Big Apple” for entertainment it is not uncommon for them to unknowingly come home with an STD.

The lack of comprehensive education classes in area schools is also contributing to the problem, and is thought to be the main reason STD rates are so high in teens and young adults. Without the information needed to stay safe, many students do not even realize their behavior could be putting them at risk. The lack of education also means that students do not realize how important it is to get tested for all of the STDs on a regular basis.

While the majority of residents in Bridgeport are able to afford regular testing, there is a shortage of community health centers that are open to the public. Without the necessary facilities getting tested for STDs normally entails long mornings and afternoons standing in line, and sometimes there is not enough time in the day for everyone to be seen by a health care professional. Due to the inconvenience associated with these screenings, many residents simply choose to ignore their sexual health.

There is plenty for residents to see and do in Bridgeport and the surrounding area, but in between visits to the zoo and museums it is important to take a few minutes and think about your sexual health. There are a few health facilities located throughout the city, but crowded waiting rooms and extremely long lines has many residents looking for a more convenient way to take care of their health. Now you can avoid the long waits and possibility of running into someone you know with one quick and easy phone call. You can schedule confidential STD testing and only spend a few minutes at a nearby lab, which still gives you plenty of time to enjoy your day.

Reference:

http://www.ncsse.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.ViewPage&PageID=1015