STD danger in Robeson

By Alan Chase & Ariel Houchens
Staff Writer & Around the Town Editor

While the syphilis rate in Robeson County is dropping, the number of reported HIV cases is on the rise, according to the Robeson County Health Department.

The syphilis count dropped from 144 new cases in 2001 to 15 cases so far this year, said Karen Woodell, health educator at the Robeson County Health Department.

The HIV rate, however, is up to 21 cases so far, Woodell said.

In 2001, Robeson County held the undesirable title of first in the nation for syphilis. This year, the county is number four, Woodell said.

"This year has been the lowest since we were number one," Woodell said.

To help combat sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV, Robeson County formed a syphilis/HIV task force. One of its goals was to eliminate syphilis in the county by 2005.

Although improvements have been made, it is still not eliminated.

The rise in HIV cases is connected to the high rate of STDs in the County, Woodell said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stresses the dangerous relationship between STDs and HIV.

The CDC website said people infected with STDs are up to five times more likely than an uninfected person to get HIV if exposed to the virus during sexual contact.

Woodell blames the spread of STDs and HIV on drug habits, unprotected sex and multiple partners.

Lori Wiggins, RN at UNCP, said one out of every four UNCP students tests positive for STDs.

According to Wiggins, Robeson County reported 442 chlamydia and 243 gonorrhea cases between January and June 2005.

To help educate the UNCP community, Student Health Services hosts awareness classes and set up the "Health Hut" in the University Center, which provides condoms and information.

Prevention is the key and to practice abstinence, but if you have sex, use latex condoms for protections," Wiggins said.