Missoula County - Missoula Measures

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Healthy Kids Report 2010

SEXUAL ACTIVITY - Additional Data

DRAFT

Source: MT DPHHS

Most reported Chlamydia cases are in females aged 15-24. This is due to several factors including greater susceptibility to infection, inexperience in negotiating safer behaviors, and a greater likelihood of multiple partners. Females account for most reports because they seek reproductive health care more frequently than men, and because men are typically asymptomatic.

Barriers to Sexually Transmitted Infections or Diseases (STI or STD) prevention

The lag time—sometimes years---between infection and significant complications.
Many STD’s are asymptomatic.
Men are much less likely to develop symptoms of Chlamydia infection than women, so don’t know that they are spreading a disease.
High exposure to sexual themes in TV and movies, and almost no exposure to STD information or prevention.
Substance abuse.

Chronic diseases and physical problems associated with STI’s

Infertility
Cervical cancer
Pelvic inflammatory disease
HIV-AIDS