Sex-Disease Cases Soar in Utah County

A Utah Department of Health report shows that Utah County saw more than a 50 percent increase in chlamydia and gonorrhea cases from 2004 to 2005. The percentage increase mirrors the national average, but the state and county fared better in the number of cases per 100,000 residents, said John Amadio, regional epidemiologist for UDH.

The study was sparked by nurses at the county health department who noticed a sudden increase in chlamydia and gonorrhea. The survey found that the county's chlamydia cases increased from 225 in 2004 to 421 in 2005. Gonorrhea increased from 41 cases to 60. Nearly half the chlamydia cases were in young adults ages 20-24.

Utah County is 92 percent white and many of those diagnosed with chlamydia were white. Hispanics, who represent less than 10 percent of the county's population, accounted for almost 30 percent of the cases, Amadio said.

The county Department of Health spent more than $950,000 in 2005 to investigate and treat STDs. Health officials say more prevention campaigns are needed since STD numbers continue to rise.

The report recommends routine testing of all sexually active people ages 15-24, and testing and treatment for all jail populations. It also recommends premarital STD testing for anyone who has had a previous sexual partner, and increased education efforts among people with high-risk lifestyles.

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