2 weeks Ago By Barbados Today
A sharp rise in cases of gonorrhoea, syphilis and chlamydia among young adults has prompted health authorities to warn of a growing public health threat, despite stable rates in HIV infection, the virus that leads to AIDS. Senior medical officer of health in the Ministry of Health, Dr Dale Babb, revealed on Wednesday that although HIV prevalence in Barbados is currently stable, other STIs are on the rise. “HIV is not gone,” he said.
“Our prevalence in Barbados is currently one per cent. We registered 107 persons for care in 2024, and that is similar to the average number that is registered per year.” Dr Babb noted improvements in early detection and treatment of HIV, but warned that the public must not overlook the spread of other infections.
He said: “What I want to caution the public about is to remember the other STIs—syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia—are often forgotten about, even though I hear, repeatedly, persons saying that they don’t hear about HIV anymore. It hasn’t gone anywhere, but guess what else hasn’t gone? Syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea.” Over the last two years, there have been shifting patterns, with gonorrhoea cases increasing significantly, particularly among men, the senior health official said.
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” “The number of females with gonorrhoea has not been rising to contribute to that difference that we’re seeing, but it is the number of males that has risen,” Dr Babb explained. The increase in cases is most prevalent among people in their twenties, she reported. “The age group most commonly where we see the rise is the 20 to 24 age group in males and females.
” While the number of chlamydia cases has climbed slightly, the positivity rate has remained steady. “Chlamydia rates, although numbers have risen, the overall positivity rate has not. So what we’re seeing with chlamydia is a consistent, I don’t want to say steady, but a steady number of cases, whereas gonorrhoea is going up and syphilis is going up.
” Dr Babb reminded the public about the importance of responsible sexual behaviour. “Let us please not forget the other STIs and the way we prevent all of them is similar, it’s the same. Having one partner consistently, knowing your status, using a condom each and every time, and practising safer sexual practices.
” The Ministry of Health plans to ramp up public education, condom distribution and free testing through ongoing outreach efforts. These initiatives aim to reach vulnerable populations and foster healthier, more informed communities. (LG).
