Tucson is a stunning city in the middle of the desert with plenty of great ways to stay cool, like night time tram rides through Sabino Canyon. The varied landscapes of Tucson are what makes the Southwest famous. From the painted hills to cactus-studded canyons, this sweltering spot is a sizzling place to call home. Over 1 million people1 reside in Tucson and Pima County, and this area sees an increase of commonly reported sexually transmitted diseases like HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea and primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis according to the latest reports from the Arizona Department of Health Services.2&8
Getting tested and treated, if medically appropriate, is a simple and effective way to lower the STD rate in Tucson, Pima County and all across the state of Arizona. Scheduling an appointment with your primary care doctor for testing can mean waiting weeks before you can get it to see them, and the waiting room at a free clinic can be crowded. STDtest.com provides a different option that is convenient, discreet and affordable. Read on to learn more.
Tucson is a modern city with plenty of historical touches, many of which you can discover at the Arizona State Museum as well as the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. It’s also an area that continues to see climbing numbers of sexually transmitted infections. Knowing the facts, the risks, how and where to get tested as well as treatment and cure options are all important for individuals when it comes to taking control of sexual health. Anyone sexually active who has never been tested, anyone who has had unprotected sex, anyone in a relationship with a partner who is STD positive or has had multiple partners in the past year should get tested for STDs as soon as possible.
According to the CDC, certain populations are at higher risk for contracting sexually transmitted infections, like teenagers and adolescents, gay men, bisexual men and men who have sex with men and certain ethnic groups.3 It’s recommended by this government agency that sexually active young women under the age of 25 get tested yearly for chlamydia, as well as older women with risk factors. Getting screened periodically is key maintaining the best sexual health possible. STDtest.com is here to make that process as convenient as possible.
Both gonorrhea and primary and secondary syphilis saw large increases in the Tucson and the Pima County area. The residents of this metropolitan statistical area reported 803 new gonorrhea infections in 2013 compared to 1,045 in 2014, revealing an increase of 23.1%. This is a marked increase from the Tucson/Pima County reported numbers of gonorrhea infection in 2011 (653). Regarding primary and secondary syphilis (P&S), 81 new diagnoses were reported in 2013 compared to 141 the following year. This increase of 42.5% of P&S cases proves troubling, because syphilis, left untreated, can leave to far more severe medical complications such as ocular syphilis, neurosyphilis and congenital syphilis.2&4
Chlamydia is the most commonly reported sexually transmitted disease in the Tucson and Pima County area, and the numbers of this infection continue to rise. In 2014, 5,518 new infections were reported compared to 5,258 the year before, a number that reflects a continued increase looking at the 4,773 chlamydia infections reported to the Arizona Department of Health Services in 2011. HIV is yet another sexually transmitted infection that saw higher numbers in 2014 compared to previous years’ reporting. The latest number of infections reported in the wider Tucson area was 527.7 cases per 100,000 residents, compared to 481.5/100,000 the year before. Again, the importance of regular screening for anyone at risk is one of the most effective methods of working to pull these trends downward.2&8
As of the most recent legislation passed in Arizona, all public schools, including those in Tucson and Pima County, are mandated to teach HIV/AIDS prevention curriculum that is age-appropriate, medically accurate and should stress abstinence for all children grades K-12. While all districts must, “dispel myths regarding transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus,” no district is allowed to convey homosexuality as a positive lifestyle. Pending legislation for the potential future of sexual education in Arizona includes Senate Bill 1020 opens up the possibility for all public schools to teach sexual education in addition to HIV/AIDS prevention education, and House Bill 2410’s aim is to allow the instruction of sexual education in all schools with an option for parents to opt their students out if they choose. These are proposed amendments to the existing state law that discusses sexual education in the state of Arizona.2
While it seems as if the state of sexual education in Arizona is slowly moving toward a more comprehensive model, the disconnect between sexuality, what is appropriate, and maintaining sexual health still experiences some disconnect. Young people, especially young gay, bisexual men who have sex with men are at high risk for contracting sexually transmitted diseases, and early detection can mean effective treatment or even a cure, depending on the condition. Left untreated, these conditions, especially HIV, can evolve into much more serious medical issues. Opening the dialogue about the facts, risks, testing and treatment options helps young people make smart, healthy decisions regarding their health. In the event that young people do engage in sex outside of marriage, they should be aware of what they can do to remain healthy and move on.3
In comparing Tucson and Pima County to the rest of Arizona, the average rate of infection of syphilis and chlamydia in this area exceeds the state average. In the state of Arizona, Pima County ranks 2nd in the state behind Maricopa County (home to Phoenix) for the highest number of STD diagnoses. Of all of the sexually transmitted diseases reported, 22.8% of them reported to be men who have sex with men. According to reports from the Arizona Department of Health Services, young people ages 14-24 in Arizona are at the highest risk for chlamydia infections. Combined with Maricopa, these two counties account for nearly 80% of chlamydia infections total in the state.2
The racial/ethnic population that sees numbers of high infection in Arizona are American Indians/Alaskan Natives, which is a statistic reflective of this part of the country. Following American Indians/Alaskan Natives as the ethnic group with the highest number of sexually transmitted infections are African Americans. Reaching out to minority populations that are at higher risk for sexually transmitted disease to stress the importance of testing and connection with treatment is essential for improving the overall community health of Tucson, the Pima County area and in Arizona as a whole.2
Enjoy all of the natural beauty that Tucson has to offer, like a leisurely hike through Saguaro National Park, rather than feeling stressed and overwhelmed by your unknown STD status. Getting started with STDtest.com is simple. Begin by answering a brief medical questionnaire online or by phone to receive your doctor recommended tests, customized to your personal history and symptoms. Next you’ll choose a lab from a national network of thousands for a short visit (usually 30 minutes or less) for test sample collection. If available in your area, we can bring the lab to you with in-home testing (no need to visit a lab if this is what you select).
For both options, test results are usually available in three business days or less. Our medical team is available for a follow up consult to discuss your diagnosis, answer any remaining questions or even to prescribe treatment, if medically appropriate and if allowed by state law. Get tested. It’s for your better health.