CDC Releases STD Study Related To Teenage Girls

by Doug McAcy
4.11.08

photo illustration by Braden Boex

A new national study was just conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and concluded that an estimated one in four (nearly 3.2 million) teenage girls between the ages of 14 and 19 is affected by at least one of the more common sexually transmitted diseases. Some of the most common STDs include the human papillomavirus, chlamydia, herpes simplex virus and trichomoniasis.

While abstinence is the only sure way to protect onself against contracting an STD, one local organization that is helping to broaden awareness of this situation is the Omaha Women’s Fund. The Fund conducts research and distributes funds and grants to help raise the awareness of issues facing young and old women in the Omaha area.

Almost a year before this CDC study came out, the Omaha Women’s Fund was spreading the word on this primary concern around the Omaha metro area.

“We hope to educate people about the fact of the epidemic of STDs,” Executive Director of the Omaha Women’s Fund Ellie Archer said. “Last year alone, we had radio ads, TV spots and billboards from an Alegent Health grant.”

In accordance with its STD awareness campaign last year, the Omaha Women’s Fund coordinated a current-running web site, www.stdomaha.com, to continue its education throughout the metro area. The web site contains information on STDs regarding the most common infections, symptoms and prevention tips.

Another local organization currently helping to stymie the STD epidemic in the area is the Creighton University Medical Center.

“It (the CDC study) doesn’t come as a surprise to us here in Douglas County where the STD rate over the last five to six years has been higher than the national rate,” Director of OBGYN at the Creighton Medical Center Terry Simanek said.

A new vaccine on the market used to help prevent young women from getting HPV and cervical cancer is the CDC-recommended Gardosil vaccine.

“We offer the Gardosil vaccine in our medical center along with a patient help program to help patients who cannot afford the vaccine or their insurance does not cover it,” Simanek said.

Along with Gardosil, the medical center often offers patients the opportunity to fill the prescription of an antibiotic to fight STDs.

“This is often more effective because teens are not usually interested in filling their prescription because they may not have the money or are afraid of their parents
finding out,” Simanek said.

There are an estimated 3.2 million young women and girls affected by STDs nationwide. Several organizations around the Omaha area are trying their hardest to spread the word and make people become aware of the impact and damage they can do.

“Our biggest frustration is mainly the pervasive thought young people tend to have
thinking ‘It (an STD) isn’t that bad,’” Simanek said. “Most STDs can be asymptomatic
and it’s important to treat it before it can cause any major damage to the body.”