The Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) program works to prevent and control sexually transmitted infections by supporting screening, treatment and referral of exposed sex partners for evaluation and treatment.
Primary prevention is emphasized through education and outreach. STD surveillance data is collected and evaluated to assure that resources are targeted effectively.
The STD program serves county health departments, health care providers, school-based health clinics, hospitals and other health delivery agencies with a variety of services including screening and treatment, epidemiology follow-up, case consultation and educational presentations.
STDs are Oregon's most frequently reported infections and account for almost two-thirds of all reportable diseases. Adolescents and young adults (15-24 years) have the highest infection rates.
Over 50,000 Oregonians are served by the STD program annually. Every dollar spent on sexually transmitted disease prevention saves an estimated two to twelve dollars by decreasing or preventing infertility, tubal pregnancies, chronic pelvic pain associated with pelvic inflammatory disease, congenital morbidity e.g., congenital syphilis, and conditions related to hepatitis B and HIV.
Most STDs, if not identified and managed appropriately, can cause serious complications. Women and newborns bear an inordinate share of complications.
GOALS
- Decreasing the incidence of STDs by interviewing community members with chlamydial, gonococcal, early syphilis and HIV infections and arranging for their sex partners to be evaluated and treated.
- Preventing transmission of STDs by providing education and outreach to communities and individuals at greater risk, particularly adolescents.
- Preventing the incidence of STDs by promoting safer-sex behaviors, including abstinence, correct and consistent condom use, and limited number of sex partners.
- Maintaining disease intervention services with bilingual and bicultural staff.
- Focusing resources appropriately by collecting and evaluating STD surveillance data.
- Reducing complications such as infertility tubal pregnancy and chronic pelvic pain by screening adolescent and young adult women for chlamydial infection and treating those who are infected.
What We Do
The STD Program is part of the HIV, STD & TB Section in the Center for Public Health Practice. Search the Public Health Program Directory to see all programs in the Oregon Public Health Division.