Addressing Spike in STD Cases Through Condom Education

An analysis of 2008 data indicates that hinds and Harrison counties account for the highest numbers of syphilis cases in Mississippi.

Because of a rise in sexually transmitted diseases in Mississippi health officials are urging education leaders to provide more education about abstinence and condom use. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Over the past year Mississippi has seen a significant increase in the number of syphilis and Chlamydia cases as in children young as high school age. Craig Thompson, Sexually Transmitted Disease Director with the State department of Health says the increase may mean it's time that the state consider teaching fact based science and sexual education in addition to abstinence only programs.

“It’s true if you don’t have sex you won’t get a sexually transmitted disease. Unfortunately that’s not the choice the majority of our young people are making. And by not knowing how to protect themselves when they make that choice they put themselves at even greater risk.”

Mississippi students are currently taught abstinence only sex education. Thompson says there's a need to include condom use education.

“There’s an inherent danger that the child will ultimately harmed by not feeling comfortable with negotiating condom use or not knowing how to use one.”

State law mandates abstinence only education in public schools. But according to Shane McNeill, Director office of the healthy schools one option for districts is abstinence based programs where use of condoms can be discussed.

“If school districts want to develop policy that is abstinent based they can do that by vote of local board.”

The latest data indicates that Hinds and Harrison counties account for the highest numbers of syphilis cases in the state. For MPB news, I'm Lawayne Childrey.