Hawaii might be best known for it’s stunning vistas and laid-back culture and Honolulu is at the heart of it all. This island nation is still susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases and it’s important for Hawaiian citizens to be aware of the risk factors of these common infections. Anyone sexually active who has never been tested before, anyone who has had unprotected sex or has been with multiple partners within the last year, anyone in a relationship with an STD-positive partner or anyone who suspects for any reason they’ve been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease should be tested as soon as possible. Getting and tested and treated (when medically appropriate) for sexually transmitted diseases is a simple and effective way to lower rates in Honolulu as well as all around The Big Island.

According to the CDC, all STDs are treatable and many can be cured, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis and syphilis. STDs without a cure, including HIV, certain forms of viral hepatitis and genital herpes can be managed with the right regimen, however, a diagnosis is needed to start treatment. In the case of HIV, antiretroviral therapy (ART) not only decreases the chances of HIV transitioning to AIDS, it also helps to improve quality of life for the patient. While getting testing can lead to treatment or even a cure, leaving an STD undiagnosed and untreated can lead to more serious medical complications, like infertility in young women.

STD Test Statistics in Honolulu, HI

Two sexually transmitted diseases that saw significant increases according to year-over-year data provided by the Hawaii State Department of Health were gonorrhea and syphilis. In 2013, 635 new gonorrhea infections were reported in Honolulu County, followed by 924 the next year, revealing a 31.2% year-over-year increase. In this metropolitan statistical area, the numbers of primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis rose from 34 in 2013 to 57 in 2014, a 40.3% increase. From to 2012 to 2013, the number of syphilis infections saw a 38.2% increase as well. From 2009 to 2014, the lowest number of infections reported was in 2011 and the highest number was in 2014.³

Chlamydia is the most commonly reported sexually transmitted disease in Honolulu, as well as in the rest of Hawaii and all across the United States. In 2014, over 1.4 million new infections were reported across the United States, according to the CDC. That same year, 4,994 new infections of chlamydia were reported in Honolulu, compared to 5,184 the year before. While cases of chlamydia are on the decline, new HIV diagnoses are on the rise according to reports from the Hawaii State Department of Health. In 2013, 49 new cases were reported to local health authorities in Honolulu, compared to 54 the following year. ^2&9 Continuing to get tested and treated for sexually transmitted diseases is an important way to improve the overall sexual health of Honolulu.

STD Testing and Sexual Education in Honolulu

The state of Hawaii mandates comprehensive sexual education in all public schools, focusing on a variety of topics including the importance of abstinence as well as methods of safe sex and contraception for avoiding sexually transmitted disease, HIV/AIDS and unintended pregnancy. Hawaii state law requires that parents receive advance notice and description of the sexual education curriculum, with the option to remove their students from the classroom during these lessons if they so choose. Another aim of comprehensive sexual education is the development of healthy decision-making skills and confidence to recognize unhealthy and abusive relationship and to seek help when needed.¹⁰

According to the 2015 Hawaii State and Counties High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), 22.3% of high school students in Hawaii are sexually active.¹¹ Given this number, it’s important for young people to have all the facts about sexually transmitted diseases, including risk factors, testing and treatment options. Keeping an open dialogue with young people can help to remove the stigma or fear of getting an STD test when they are at risk. A diagnosis can lead to a treatment or cure. An STD left untreated out of embarrassment can lead to more permanent medical consequences. Supporting young people with knowledge and resources helps make the future of Honolulu’s youth that much brighter.

STD Testing and Demographics in Honolulu

Looking at HIV data from 2009-2013 from the Hawaii Department of Health, Honolulu accounts for 75% of all HIV infections in the state on average. In 2014, the county accounted for 67% of state diagnoses compared to 72.9% in 2013. This is in comparison to Hawaii’s additional counties including Kaua’i, Maui and Hawai’i. In 2009, Honolulu reported 83.8% of all infections in the state. While Honolulu County evidently reports the most prevalence of the virus in the state, Kaua’i County reports the lowest.

According to state data, 52.4% of new HIV cases were diagnosed in people age 25-44, a number slightly higher than other sexually transmitted diseases that most typically impact youth like chlamydia and gonorrhea. The racial/ethnic group with the highest number of diagnoses during this time period was Caucasian, with 28.6% of infections, followed African Americans. One group that is exceptionally high risk for contracting the Human Immunodeficiency Virus is men who have sex with men (MSM), accounting for 66% of all new diagnoses in 2014. Getting tested and linked to care, specifically antiretroviral therapy (ART) is essential for lowering the rates of HIV in Honolulu. In the state of Hawaii, 83.5% of all HIV+ patients were reported as linked to care by the Hawaii State Department of Health in 2013. When a patient is linked to care, it increases their chances of achieving viral suppression, a minimal detection of the virus in the body. This can mean a slower transition to AIDS and an improved quality of life for the patient.^2&5

Your Best Honolulu STD Testing Option

Life in Honolulu should be laid back, so why not stress less by getting the answers you need about an unknown STD status? Getting started with STDtest.com is simple. To begin, you’ll answer a short medical questionnaire letting our doctors know about your symptoms so they can give you a personal recommendation. Next, you’ll select a testing option. You can choose a local lab most convenient for you from a national network of thousands for a short visit (usually 30 minutes or less) to get your test samples collected. If available in your area, In-Home Collection brings the lab to you. With only an hour’s notice, a trained Lab Collection Specialist can come to your home, work or any place you choose to collect your samples and send them off for testing.

For both options, test results are usually available within three business days or less. Our medical team is available for follow up to discuss your diagnosis, answer any questions you might have and even to prescribe treatment, if medically appropriate and if allowed in your area. Get tested. It’s for your better health.

References:
1 U.S. Census Bureau Quick Facts – Honolulu County, HI
2 New HIV Infection Diagnoses in Hawai`i, 2009-2013
3 10-Year Summary of Reported Cases of Notifiable Diseases, Honolulu County, Hawai’i 2005-2014
4 The Lowdown on How to Prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases
5 CDC – Act Against AIDS – HIV Treatment
6 CDC – Viral Hepatitis – 2015 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines
7 CDC – Genital Herpes Treatment and Care
8 Sexually Transmitted Infections in Young Americans
9 CDC 2014 National STD Surveillance Report
10 Hawaii State Department of Education Sexual Health Education
11 Results of the 2015 Hawai‘i State and Counties High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and Cross-Year Comparisons