Free STD Testing in Chula Vista, CA

Recent statistics show that the city of Chula Vista and surround San Diego County are experiencing a steady rise in the number of reported STDs. The statistics further show that this alarming trend has been occurring over a twenty year period. While some officials point out that these numbers include the larger city of San Diego and surrounding county, the reality is that sexually transmitted diseases continue to be a significant health problem for residents of Chula Vista.

It is not only adults who are at risk of contracting a STD, but statistics show that more teens are testing positive for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. Primary and secondary Syphilis diagnoses are also on the rise, and this potentially deadly disease seems to be effecting a greater number of older, professional men.

These statistics also show how important it is for residents to be tested regularly, though with over 3 million residents testing positive for a STD in 2014 health officials realize that the city and county have a long ways to go before these rates are under control. Some of the other statistics that highlight the growing health problem in Chula Vista include;

• Between 2005 and 2014 the Chlamydia rates for females remained significantly higher than the state average.
• In 2014 there were over 4,400 women between the ages of 20 to 24 diagnosed with Chlamydia.
• Men accounted for the majority of primary and secondary Syphilis diagnoses in 2014.
• Between 2005 and 2014 the number of men diagnosed with Syphilis doubled and remains well above the state average.

The city of Chula Vista does offer comprehensive sexual education classes in its public school system, though parents do have the option of signing their child out. Even though these programs do cover the importance of practicing safe sex and recommend abstinence until they are older, these classes still do not adequately address the importance of regular STD testing.

While teen pregnancy rates are slowing decreasing, and much of this is due to the aggressive sexual education programs that stress the importance of birth control, these classes do not always want students that a small pill will not protect them from a sexually transmitted disease. Even though city health officials agree that this important information is missing from some of the public school programs, not everyone is anxious to include all of the potentially graphic data in these classes.

Unfortunately until students and parents realize the importance of regular STD testing, and that not all sexually transmitted diseases are contracted through intercourse, the city can expect to see these rates continue to rise.

This is especially true for some viral infections that can be passed through casual contact and others that do not always display obvious symptoms. Regular herpes testing in Chula Vista can prevent the spread of the virus among students and also stop embarrassing cold sores from forming.

Regular HIV testing in Chula Vista is also important for your health, and it can also potentially save the life of someone you love.

Demographics play a large role in STD rates, and this can include income, religious and cultural beliefs, along with age and gender. Chula Vista and surrounding San Diego County has a diverse social economic population, which is contributing to the rising number of reported cases of STDs.

Another factor which is causing STD rates to rise is the growing number of middle age men who are engaging in risky sexual behavior, along with the increasing popularity of intravenous drug use. Until these problems are adequately addressed, the beachside city of Chula Vista will continue to see the number of reported STDs continue to rise.

Religious and cultural beliefs that prohibit sexual activity before marriage is making it difficult for many teens and young adults to get the health care that they need, which includes regular testing for the common sexually transmitted diseases. This is also leading to many students not being enrolled in sexual education classes, which is only putting their health and that of others at risk.

Many of the city’s lower income neighborhoods are also suffering from a lack of health care clinics, and the ones that are open to the public often have long lines that most residents choose to avoid. The long wait combined with the potential risk of running into a familiar face has also made it difficult for many residents to get tested regularly.

Until city leaders and health officials can find a solution that is affordable and works for all ethnic groups, Chula Vista will continue to experience a high rate of sexually transmitted diseases.

Before heading to the beach it is important to stop in at one of Chula Vista’s health care clinics and get tested for a sexually transmitted disease. While there are long lines at the community health centers there is another way residents can take care of their sexual health. With one quick and easy phone call you can schedule confidential STD testing and only spend 20 minutes at the local lab, which still gives you plenty of time to enjoy the rest of the day along the Pacific coast.

https://www.sandiegounified.org/sexual-health-education-public