Sex transmitted diseases on the rise in Mt Province

By Gina Dizon

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- Sexually transmitted infectious (STI)  diseases are increasing in Mountain Province  the past four  years.

Provincial  STI officer  Dolores Teelan noted  increase of  31 to 71 cases of  sexually transmitted infectious (STI) diseases particularly that of gonorrhea and syphyllis from 2009 to 2012 noting a 43% increase  the past four years, with data  sourced from all rural health units of Mountain Province  including Bontoc General  Hospital.

The first two quarters of 2013 revealed the youngest at age 15 and oldest at 54 from 13 syndromic cases of gonorrhea and  4 of syphilis.

Laboratory  diagnosis confirmed  25 cases of gonorrhea out of  71 syndromic  cases in 2012.   

The year 2009 registered 31 syndromic STI-gonorrhea and syphyllis- cases, decreased to 22 in year 2010, increased to 59 in year 2011, and increased again to 71 in year 2012. It was noted that there are 6 cases of those hit with syndromic STI in year 2010 with young ages 15-24 and 17 cases in 2011 also with young ages 15-24.

Teelan said the numbers are alarming with youth being slowly hit with an increase of  6 to 17 cases from 2010 to 2011.

She advised those who are experiencing STI symptoms to visit health authorities as soon as possible to prevent transfer of the infectious disease to their spouse/partner, further warning young people to be careful in their sexual activities.

Anyone can be a victim who succumbs to unsafe and unprotected sex with an infected partner.

Gonorrhea hits both men and women with profuse secretion of white-yellowish discharge accompanied with painful urination, and cause infection to the urethra. Syphyllis which also hits both men and women show abscess and secretes pus, and if left untreated  can cause chronic  infection.

Gonorrhea and syphyllis are two of sexually transmitted  diseases aside from chlamydia, genital herpes and HIV-AIDS  transferred  via vaginal intercourse, oral sex and anal sex.  

Though STIs have been noted to be passed via  drug needles, childbirth and breastfeeding.

Provincial physician Dr Marceline Kingat-Bacwaden said those who are experiencing  STI symptoms are compelled to visit health units as the pain could be unbearable. She advises those who are hit with any symptoms of STI disease to undergo treatment as this may lead to other illnesses as pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, infertility and sterility for men.

Meantime, prostitution in Mountain State Polytechnique College (MPSPC) was noted in the school students’ paper Ap-apaway, was reported by  the provincial  social welfare and development  officer  Rosalinda Belagan  during the Provincial Peace and  Order Council August 28. 

MPSPC student  adviser Terence Sokoken said  the reports are still unverified.