Sexually Transmitted Infections

Prevalence

The 2004 sexually transmitted infection national surveillance data published by the CDC indicates that rates of STIs have increased from previous years, [Page 778]which may be attributed to better means of identification and diagnosis. The CDC identifies demographics such as gender, race, and age are important indicators in the prevalence of STIs. Higher rates of certain STIs are found among women, specifically African American women. Adolescents who are 15 to 19 years of age have the highest rates of infection, followed closely by young adults who are 20 to 24 years old. Women of these age groupings are at higher risk of infection because of physiological factors involving the mucosa around the cervix.

Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed STI, with women more than three times as likely to be diagnosed as men; specifically, black women demonstrate the highest prevalence and are more than seven times as likely to have reported rates of infection when compared with white women. Gonorrhea is the second most commonly diagnosed STI, and prevalence rates are noted to be highest in certain populations, such as African Americans, women, and individuals aged 15 to 24. The most recent report by the CDC indicates a 4-year trend of higher gonorrhea rates found among women.

Syphilis rates historically are higher for men; however, for the first time in 10 years the rate of infection for women flattened, with rates for men continuing to show a downward trend in incidence. Race remains a notable demographic factor in the prevalence rate of syphilis, with an occurrence five times as great for individuals who are black compared with those who are white.

There are two different HSV infections: HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 is usually the cause of infections in the mouth or on the lips and can be a cause of genital herpes (HSV-2). HSV-2 infections are more common in women, affecting approximately one in four women; this appears to be a factor of male-to-female transmissions being more probable than female-to-male transmission. Transmission of this infection occurs during sexual contact with someone who has a HSV-2 infection with or without an active breakout of sores.

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