Rhode Island’s Department of Health has recently revealed that sexually transmitted disease rates (STD) have increased significantly during the previous two years.
Apparently, the location-based social discovery app Tinder has a role in spreading the diseases. Tinder is an application that allows users to chat with their matches.
The numbers released by a new state report are quite worrying. It seems that the number of syphilis cases was 79 percent higher in Rhode Island between 2013 and 2014. HIV cases are also on increase mode, as it was recorded that the number of people contaminated was 33 percent higher.
The rates showed different percentages for various types of groups. Men who had homosexual encounters represented 75 percent of syphilis cases, while younger people (15 to 24 year old) were the ones most affected by gonorrhea or chlamydia.
The report also warned against sexual behavior that is not safe and healthy. Social media was blamed for facilitating sexual encounters between people who did not know each other beforehand. Various applications would encourage people to seek multiple partners and engage in promiscuous behavior.
However, representatives of Tinder refused to give any comments on the subject, even if their application, which has been downloaded by millions of users all around the world has been pointed at in the past as well. There have been other studies showing a connection between Tinder or other similar applications and STD.
High- risk behavior also means not using protection and having sexual intercourse when one of the partners or both are intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.
Specialists at the Rhode Island Department of education emphasize the importance educators and medical representatives have in informing people, especially the young ones regarding the risks they could face. This should preferably be done ” before becoming sexually active and especially after becoming sexually active,” according to Rosemary Reilly-Chammat, who is an HIV sexuality specialist working with Rhode Island Department of Education.
“Individuals are inclined to discount the future value of staying STD/HIV free and put high value on the instant gratification that casual sex offers,” wrote the researchers of another study led by specialists at the New York University in 2013.
Given the new data, efforts are being made to decrease these alarming rates in Rhode Island by having state agencies and local organizations work together with healthcare providers in order to give people more information related to appropriate sexual behavior that would keep them safe and free of risks.
The percentage of people diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases has increased nationwide according to CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). For example, it was recorded that the syphilis cases in the country witnessed a spike of 10 percent between 2012 and 2013.
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