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Department of Human Services
About Us
Organization
Annual Performance Measures

Who We Are:
 
The Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) program prevents and controls infections with a primary focus on identification and treatment through screening and referral of exposed sex partners for evaluation and treatment. Primary prevention is emphasized through education and outreach. STD surveillance data is collected and evaluated to assure that resources are targeted effectively.
 
Why We're Here:
 
Sexually transmitted diseases are Oregon's most frequently reported infections and account for almost two-thirds of all reportable diseases. Adolescents and young adults (15-24 years) have the highest infection rates. Most sexually transmitted diseases, if not identified and managed appropriately can cause serious complications. Women and newborns bear an inordinate share of complications.
 
What We're Doing:
  • Reducing complications such as infertility tubal pregnancy and chronic pelvic pain by screening adolescent and young adult women for chlamydial infection and treating those who are infected.
  • Decreasing the incidence of sexually transmitted disease by interviewing community members with chlamydial, gonococcal, early syphilis and HIV infections and arranging for their sex partners to be evaluated and treated.
  • Preventing transmission of sexually transmitted disease by providing education and outreach to communities and individuals at greater risk particularly adolescents.
  • Preventing the incidence of sexually transmitted disease by promoting safer-sex behaviors including abstinence, correct and consistent condom use, and limited number of sex partners.
  • Maintaining disease intervention services with bilingual and bicultural staff.
  • Focusing resources appropriately by collecting and evaluating STD surveillance data.
 
The Difference We're Making:
  • The Sexually Transmitted Disease program serves county health departments, healthcare providers, School-based health clinics, hospitals, and other health delivery agencies with a variety of services including screening and treatment, epidemiology follow-up, case consultation, and educational presentations.
  • Over 50,000 Oregonians are served by the program annually.
  • Every dollar spent on sexually transmitted disease prevention saves an estimated two to twelve dollars by decreasing or preventing infertility, tubal pregnancies, chronic pelvic pain associated with pelvic inflammatory disease, congenital morbidity e.g., congenital syphilis, and conditions related to hepatitis B and HIV.
 
Page updated: September 22, 2007

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