One out of every four teens is diagnosed with an STI annually and by the age of 25 one-half of sexually
active people will have contracted an STI [1].
One-half of the 19 million sexually transmitted
infections (STIs) diagnosed annually occur in 15-24 year olds [2].
The 2008 National Surveillance
Data for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis report from the CDC shows a national increase in chlamydia and syphilis [2].
South Carolina has typically been in the top 5 states in the nation for rates per 100,000 of chlamydia and gonorrhea (and was #3 nationally
for both in 2008).
The 2008 STD/HIV Surveillance Report from DHEC showed that 50%
of the cases of gonorrhea occurred among 20-29 year olds, 32% among people under 19, 11% among 30-39 year olds, and only 7% among
those over 40 [3].
The report also showed 51% of the cases of chlamydia occurred between 20-29
year olds, 38% among those under 19, 8% among 30-39 year olds and 2% among those over 40 [3].
Syphilis was most prevalent among 20-29 year olds (42%), followed by 40+ years (30%), then 30-39 year olds (19%) and finally those
under 19 (9%) [3].
