Shreveport remains among cities with highest sexually transmitted disease rates
Shreveport remains one of the cities with the highest rates of sexually transmitted disease cases, though the latest ranking is actually an improvement over previous years.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released the latest report on STDs and highlighted cities across the U.S. where there are higher-than-normal cases.
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In a report from Innerbody Research, Shreveport is ranked 21 out of 25 U.S. cities with the highest STD rates. In prior studies conducted by Innerbody Research, Shreveport was ranked ninth.
“This report serves as a reminder to potentiate our plan as public health authorities, medical providers, infection preventionists, local leaders and others to fight off these sexually transmitted infections," said Dr. Alexandre Malek, infectious disease specialist at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport said.
The methodology by Innerbody Research measures STD cases per 100,000 population. On average, Shreveport has 1,758 STD cases per 100,000 people. Among that methodology cases are divided among different STDs: HIV; chlamydia; gonorrhea; and syphilis.
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The highest ranking STD in Shreveport is chlamydia with 3,543 cases per 100,000 people. Second is gonorrhea at 1,447, then HIV at 1,437 and syphilis at 78.
“A high rate of sexually transmitted infections has been a problem in the Ark-La-Tex for many years," said Dr. Hollie McCart of Willis-Knighton Pierremont OB-GYN Specialists. "It is encouraging to see that we have improved in the rankings going from No. 9 to No. 21, although there is still much room for continued improvement.
“As an OB-GYN, STIs are concerning not only because they are sexually transmitted, but also because many of these infections can have negative effects on pregnancy and future fertility."
"Important steps in prevention are the routine use of condoms in effort to prevent exposure as well as routine screening. Screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections are available from the local health units as well as at your OB-GYN office.”
The study also highlighted Shreveport for its location in proximity to Barksdale Air Force Base.
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Within the study other high ranking STD cities were located near military bases. For example, Augusta, Ga., which is ranked No. 6, is home to Fort Gordon Army Base.
"The risk factors of STIs are known and do not vary from community to others, but the rate of engaging in such risky behaviors varies from area to another, which place the population at different risk of contracting STIs," Malek said.
High risk factors, Malek said, include having unprotected sex, having multiple partners and lack of sufficient sex awareness and education among young people.
The South remains disproportionately represented among the hardest-hit cities. In Innerbody Research's Top 25, 17 are southern cities.
New Orleans ranked 11th with 2,213 cases per 100,000 and Baton Rouge ranked 16th with 1,893 cases per 100,000.
"Education and counseling remain the key in ensuring better outcomes and leading to healthy sexual behaviors and should be delivered to all people in a nonjudgmental, empathetic and appropriate manner regardless of age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, religion, geographic location, disability or socioeconomic conditions,” Malek said.
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Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Shreveport sexually transmitted disease rates remain high
