By Kennytta Bolton Mississippi is the 2nd highest in Chlamydia and Gonorrhea cases, making it one of the states with

the highest levels of Sexually Transmitted Infections in the nation. Nora Spencer, Vice President of External Affairs for Planned Parenthood, said, There is an STI crisis in Mississippi. We have the 2nd highest levels of Gonorrhea and Chlamydia infections in the country, and the 7th highest rate of HIV nationwide. Young people between the ages of 15-24 are particularly vulnerable and need education and health services to stay healthy and safe. Nearly 40percent of the STI cases in Miss. are found in teens. In 2012, 50percent of all new STI cases where found in individuals ranging from the age of 15 to 24. In 2009, Miss. ranked #1 for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia, by 2010 the state moved into 2nd place for both STIs. Last year, in 2012 a total of 23,062 cases of Chlamydia were diagnosed in Miss., with African Americans making up 75percent of that total. The Mississippi State Department of Health reported 6,878 cases of Gonorrhea in 2012, with African Americans making up 74percent of those infected. Females accounted for 56percent of the 6,878 Gonorrhea cases. The rate of Gonorrhea infection among women in Miss. is 250 per 100,000, and 210 per 100,000 in men. An official from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention said, Cases continue to go undiagnosed and unreported so a fraction of the truth is burdened when it comes to the statistical data. But, we are confident in whats being reported. We collect data from state STD prevention programs, as well as state and local health departments. Being that the numbers of STIs are high in Miss., STI testing can be found throughout the state. The Miss. State Dept. of Health has 2 clinics in Belzoni, 2 in Hattiesburg, 4 in Jackson, and 1 in McComb, that offer STI testing. Ashley Threatt, a Health Educator and Assessment Officer, who works at the University of Southern Mississippis Health Center, said, The number of STI cases found on campus matches with the national trend. Judging by the national trend this would make 1 in every 4 students, on USM campus, infected with an STI said Threatt. The USM health center also provides sex education and awareness around campus, to dorms and student organizations. The health center also has pamphlets and brochures on STI prevention, as well as free contraceptives offered by the pharmacy.

Though Gonorrhea and Chlamydia rank highest in the state, there are other STIs that are prevalent on a state and national level. The Human Papillomavirus and The Human Immunodeficiency Virus are STIs that are also being seen through out the state. HPV is a common STI that can cause genital warts; it is also one of the known causes for cervical cancer in women. Candace Myers, 32, a college professor, said, I have had HPV for two years now and I think if I would have been educated about this before, I would have been able to avoid this dilemma. This could have easily been Gonorrhea or any other STD. Miss. ranks 7th in HIV cases. In 2011, the rate of HIV cases was 20.7 per 100,000 people. In 2012, 547 new cases of HIV were reported for Mississippi. Dallen Boutwell, 21, a Junior at USM, said, I have a friend that has HIV and because of him getting infected, I now get tested every month. I think its important. Everything I learned about prevention I learned on my own, I was never educated. The USM health center offers free HIV testing to USM students, Since we have began making HIV testing free we have seen a 413percent increase in the amount of students that are being tested, Threatt said. The CDC website reported that individuals that have had an STI are 2 to 5 times more likely to be susceptible to contracting HIV. Sex education seems to be the one thing that Miss lacks the most. Some people think that education on prevention and awareness, instead of the teaching of abstinence, would be the one thing to decrease the rate of STIs in the state. STIs are preventable and with education and awareness a reduction in STIs could be seen, said Myers. Planned Parenthood along with the AIDS Services Coalition offers free HIV testing once a month. We believe prevention is important, but there is a chance that people are going undiagnosed which spread disease. This is why we feel it is important to fund prevention programs and campaigns, said CDC official. Most free testing offered in the state is on HIV testing only. The Miss. State Dept. of health offers free HIV and STI testing at each of their clinics and clinics that work in partnership with them, a list can be found on their website www.msdh.ms.gov. Planned Parenthood and USM both charge a fee for STI testing.

Its about getting screened not money, but unfortunately STI testing cost more due to testing equipment. The only way to reduce the number of STIs is to make everyone in our community have the knowledge and supplies they need to be stay safe. We need to learn how to have tough conversations, Spencer said.

For further questions or more information on prevention, awareness, education or testing please contact: Nora Spencer at www.Nora.Spencer@ppfa.org; The Center for Disease Control and Prevention STD/HIV Media line 404-639-8895; Ashley Threatt at 601-266-5390.