Health officials at University of Kentucky say STDs are on the rise

Health officials at the University of Kentucky Healthcare University recently told the Kentucky Kernel that new cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) reported thus far in the 2011 academic year have already surpassed those diagnosed within the same time frame during 2010.

Health Education Coordinator Brandy Reeves told the newspaper that 46 instances of chlamydia and nine gonorrhea infections were reported among students between January and March. Combined, these numbers account for about half of all STD cases that were seen throughout the previous year, she noted.

“Based on other research and anecdotal evidence, students could be using condoms less often. [They] could also have more sexual partners," Reeves told the news source.

She added that she believes that even more diagnoses will be made as the undergraduates return from spring break, a time when many young adults engage in risky sexual behaviors.

In the U.S., STDs are most common among college-age individuals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The organization estimates that young adults between the ages of 15 and 24 account for half of the 19 million new infections each year.

Anyone who would like to be screened for STDs may consider using online testing services.