FAST FACTS:
danya.bacchus@wreg.com
(DeSoto County, MS 05/20/2009) The new numbers for sexually transmitted disease rates in Mississippi can be described with one word, alarming
According to the State Health department syphilis cases more than doubled, jumping from 82 to 181 this year.
There are 189 more cases of gonorrhea and nearly 2200 new cases of chlamydia.
These numbers are just from the first four months of the year.
"It's an amazing jump in the number of syphilis cases, chlamydia and gonorrhea. Especially because syphilis is such a serious infection."
Joan Carr of Planned Parenthood for the Greater Memphis Region, which includes parts of Arkansas and North Mississippi, says education is too blame. She and state health officials say the federal government's abstinence only message isn't working.
"There is evidence that most kids in school are sexually active so when they get the abstinence only message, they're already not abstinent so they can get nothing from that," said Carr.
"If we can educate them that and say yes there is a risk and if you want to to take it there you can minimize the consequences of you behavior," said Dr. Alfio Rausa, District Health Officer for the Mississippi Health Department.
State officials pushed for legislation requiring state schools provide comprehensive sex education but it died in this year's session.
Desoto is one of four counties that makes-up 60 percent of the state's syphilis rate. Doctor Alfio Rousa believes Shelby County's recent boom in STDs, which he says they now have under control, may be to blame for Desoto county's increase.
"A lot of our Desoto natives like to go across the border and play and bring home more than memories," said Rousa.
Rausa also says young people have an attitude of "It can't happen to me" but they need to know, the numbers are showing it can.
- Mississippi STD Rates Double
- Health Officials: More Education Needed
- DeSoto One of Four Counties With Highest Rate
danya.bacchus@wreg.com
(DeSoto County, MS 05/20/2009) The new numbers for sexually transmitted disease rates in Mississippi can be described with one word, alarming
According to the State Health department syphilis cases more than doubled, jumping from 82 to 181 this year.
There are 189 more cases of gonorrhea and nearly 2200 new cases of chlamydia.
These numbers are just from the first four months of the year.
"It's an amazing jump in the number of syphilis cases, chlamydia and gonorrhea. Especially because syphilis is such a serious infection."
Joan Carr of Planned Parenthood for the Greater Memphis Region, which includes parts of Arkansas and North Mississippi, says education is too blame. She and state health officials say the federal government's abstinence only message isn't working.
"There is evidence that most kids in school are sexually active so when they get the abstinence only message, they're already not abstinent so they can get nothing from that," said Carr.
"If we can educate them that and say yes there is a risk and if you want to to take it there you can minimize the consequences of you behavior," said Dr. Alfio Rausa, District Health Officer for the Mississippi Health Department.
State officials pushed for legislation requiring state schools provide comprehensive sex education but it died in this year's session.
Desoto is one of four counties that makes-up 60 percent of the state's syphilis rate. Doctor Alfio Rousa believes Shelby County's recent boom in STDs, which he says they now have under control, may be to blame for Desoto county's increase.
"A lot of our Desoto natives like to go across the border and play and bring home more than memories," said Rousa.
Rausa also says young people have an attitude of "It can't happen to me" but they need to know, the numbers are showing it can.
