Free STD Testing in Salt Lake City, UT

Recent statistics has city leaders and health professionals concerned over the rising number of sexually transmitted infections being reported each year in the area. The statistics also show that this increase has been steadily occurring over the past twenty years.

It is not only Chlamydia and Gonorrhea infections that are increasing in the city, but Syphilis diagnoses are also climbing as well. This has health officials concerned since many thought that this STD was under control.

The data also shows that the number of teens diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease is on the rise, though the number of high school students who graduate pregnant is slowly decreasing. This has some city leaders believing that the health crisis is improving, but statistics show that this is not the case.

Not only are teens and young adults at risk, but older men and women are also testing positive more often. With statistics showing that these high numbers are unlikely to change, it has never been so important to get tested for all of the STDs on a regular basis.

Some of the statistics that have health officials concerned include;

• Between 2011 and 2014 the incident rates for Chlamydia climbed 296 percent in men.
• The three year period between 2011 and 2014 also saw a 714 percent increase in Chlamydia rates in women.
• Gonorrhea rates were at 63.3 percent in 2013, which is significantly higher than the state’s 3.9 percent.
• African Americans reported a 237.4 Gonorrhea rate in 2013 which is significantly higher than other demographical groups.

One of the most effective methods of preventing a STD is to implement comprehensive sexual education programs in the classrooms. Not only do these programs cover the risks and dangers associated with being sexually active, the classes also teach students about the important of using condoms and being tested regularly.

Even though the STD rates in the city keep rising, public schools are still not required to teach sexual education programs. While HIV/AIDS information is briefly taught in school, it is not enough to make any noticeable difference in the rate of sexually transmitted diseases.

Schools that promote abstinence are reporting lower teen pregnancy rates, but the number of students who test positive for a sexually transmitted infection continues to rise. Without the proper education students and parents won’t realize that they are already at risk of contracting a STD. Not all of the viruses are spread solely through sexual penetration, and some do not display any immediate symptoms making it easy to unknowingly spread the disease.

Regular Herpes testing in Salt Lake City can help slow the spread of this easily transmitted disease. Since the virus can be spread through casual contact, almost anyone is at risk of contracting the infection. Regular HIV testing in Salt Lake City is also critical for continued good health. Not everyone displays immediate symptoms, and the simple procedure could potentially save your life. Until everyone in the city understands how important it is to get tested regularly, the number of sexually transmitted infections will continue to rise.

Demographics play an important role in a city’s STD rates and this includes social and economic factors, along with age and gender. Statistically women have a greater chance of contracting a sexually transmitted disease than men, and this is true in Salt Lake City.

Part of this is due to young girls finding it difficult to say “no”, and the lack of comprehensive sexual education problems in the city schools is adding to the problem. Without the classes many girls do not understand the risks they are exposing themselves too, and this also has an effect on the number of men who are infected.

Lower income families often find it difficult to afford regular STD testing, and many simply feel that it won’t happen to them. Risky lifestyle choices and a lack of community health centers are also contributing to the high rate of sexually transmitted diseases.

There is also an unwillingness to discuss the problem, which makes it difficult for teens and young adults to get the information and support they need. Strong conservative and religious values that stress abstinence until marriage can make it difficult for people to discuss their sexual activity, and admit that they might be infected.

Until everyone is aware how sexually transmitted diseases are spread and how easy it is to contract one, the STD rates in the city will continue to rise.

Before you spend the day exploring this beautiful city it is important to take a few minutes and take care of your sexual health. With STD rates climbing across the city it is extremely important to get tested regularly. While there are community centers in the city for residents to take advantage of, the long lines and fear of running into a familiar face has many people looking for a better solution. Now you can schedule confidential STD testing with one simple phone call and only spend 20 minutes or so at the local lab, which still gives you plenty of time to enjoy the rest of your day.

Reference:

http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2382827-155/op-ed-utahs-sex-ed-policy-is-doing