April takes aim at sexually transmitted infections
Sunday, April 8, 2007
GALESBURG - April is National Sexually Transmitted Infection Month.National STI Awareness Month is a national health observance to help break the silence and alert individuals regarding the growing crisis of STIs in America. STIs are a significant problem in the United States, especially for adolescents and young adults. STI Awareness Month is a good time to talk about this uncomfortable but important issue.
Knox County adolescents are being diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections at alarming rates. The Knox County Health Department is encouraging Knox County teens and young adults to get educated about STIs and to get tested when appropriate, not only during STI month but throughout the year.
"The STI statistics as well as our community's teen pregnancy rate obviously indicate that we have a public health challenge in Knox County," said Erin Olson, community health educator for the Knox County Health Department.
In 2005, Knox County had 206 chlamydia cases, 43 percent of those were from teens. There were also 84 gonorrhea cases and 35 percent of those were in teenagers.
For more information about sexually transmitted infections or to schedule an appointment for testing contact the health department at (309) 344-2224.
