‘Nearly 300 reports of two types of STDs in 2018’

In 2018 alone, there were almost 300 cases of two types of sexually transmitted diseases in the CNMI, according to a Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. statement yesterday.

Of that number, 245 were cases of chlamydia and 34 were cases of gonorrhea, CHCC noted. All cases were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Chlamydia, one of the most common sexually transmitted infections, or STI, is passed through unprotected sex. Gonorrhea is also passed through unprotected sex.

Both STIs can infect men and women and usually affect the urethra, rectum, throat, and even the cervix of women.

“High school-aged students are most vulnerable to chlamydia and gonorrhea infections. In 2018, 58 percent of reported cases of chlamydia and 53 percent of reported cases of gonorrhea were within the age range of 15-24,” CHCC noted.

CHCC further reported that since 1997, the CNMI has reported less than 50 persons living with human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, which later becomes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, or AIDS.

“Fifty-five percent of the current cases have an AIDS diagnosis while the other 45 percent have an HIV diagnosis,” CHCC stated.

CHCC reiterated its HIV and STD prevention program in observance of the National Public Health Week and has partnered with the American Public Health Association for this occasion.

“For over 20 years, the APHA has brought together communities across the United States to observe National Public Health Week; a time to recognize the contributions of public health departments and highlight issues that are important to improving our nation’s health,” CHCC stated. “To combat conditions and environmental factors that influence health, the programs under the Division of Public Health Services and their partners aim to promote healthy lifestyles, create policies, and provide services to protect the health of the people in the CNMI.”

CHCC runs the HIV and STD prevention program in partnership with the CNMI Drug Court Program, PRIDE Marianas, Paper Dolls, Northern Marianas College, and more to deliver services and engage vulnerable populations that include intravenous drug users, men who have sex with men, and youth.

The HIV and STD prevention program provides a “culturally appropriate” 10-lesson curriculum based on “Navigating Personal Wellbeing” and “Sexuality in Chamorro Communities.” So far, CHCC reports, the curriculum has already served 15 individuals to “increase their knowledge and skill set in HIV and STD prevention education.”

The program also partners with the Tuberculosis or Hansen’s Program to screen and test HIV positive patients for tuberculosis while also collaborating with the Public School System to provide high school students with access to HIV and STD preventive and treatment services in schools.

For more information, contact the HIV and STD prevention program at 664-4050. For more information on other CHCC programs, follow CHCC on Facebook and Twitter at @cnmmichcc, check out their website at www.chcc.gov.mp, or call 234-8950.