State officials are worried about Department of Health data showing a 14.1 percent increase in STDs in central Florida from 1995 to 2005.
Orange and Polk counties have the worst STD rates in central Florida, though Osceola and Lake posted the most dramatic increases since 1995. Rates in Brevard and Volusia counties have dropped. The data show minorities are disproportionately affected by STDs. Lack of access to health care is a huge reason for this disparity, said Karla Schmitt, bureau chief for STD prevention and control for the state health department.
Public health experts are not certain whether the rise means more infections are actually occurring or rather that more people are getting screened. Schmitt said infections could be rising because sex is still considered taboo, leading to a lack of education and to misperceptions about STDs. Another reason for the spike could be online "hooking up," in which people find anonymous sex partners via Internet chat rooms.
Alternatively, the trend could reflect improvements made in public awareness and testing in recent years. Orlando resident Jermaine Martin said he regularly gets screened for STDs, in part due to enhanced awareness campaigns. "If you turn on the TV you see it, and in school they teach you," said Martin, 22.
The Orange County Health Department, which promoted STD Awareness Month in April, has hired more contact-tracing specialists to reach the partners of those infected, said Jim Hinson, STD program manager for the department.
Experts agree greater public awareness and education are needed to combat the trend.
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Orlando Sentinel (07.10.07):: Tyeesha Dixon |
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