HIV/AIDS Cases Increasing In South Dakota, Health Department Reports

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Article Date: 08 Jan 2008 - 9:00 PDT

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The number of HIV/AIDS cases in South Dakota increased by 3% between 2005 and 2006, according to the most recent statistics from the state Department of Health, the Mitchell Daily Republic reports. The statistics were released as part of the South Dakota Vital Statistics book, which was distributed to the media last month. According to statewide data, HIV/AIDS cases increased from 33 cases in 2005 to 34 cases in 2006. Among the 34 cases of HIV/AIDS, 65% were reported among men, and 20 cases were reported among people ages 40 to 64. The majority of cases were reported among white residents.

HIV/AIDS cases in South Dakota have increased steadily among men since 2004, according to state health data. There were 22 cases of HIV/AIDS reported among men in the state in 2006, up from 19 cases in 2005. Thirteen cases of HIV/AIDS were reported among men in 2004, according to statistics. The recent increase in HIV/AIDS cases among women in the state mirrors a national trend, according to Bonnie Jameson, administrator for the state Office of Disease Prevention. Six cases of HIV/AIDS were reported among women in South Dakota in 2004, compared with 14 in 2005 and 12 in 2006.

The health department also recorded a 4.5% increase in the number of gonorrhea cases and a 2.5% decrease in chlamydia cases, which is the most common sexually transmitted infection in South Dakota, according to the Daily Republic. Among the 2,633 cases of chlamydia reported, 73% of the cases were among women.

According to Jameson, the number of STIs fluctuates annually. "We are still doing the same prevention and intervention activities that we have done over the years," Jameson said. "It's dependent upon the individual who is infected and how many people they have exposed," she said, adding, "The take home message here is that [STIs] are certainly present in South Dakota. We don't want individuals to become displaced and think that the risk is not here" (Dittmer, Mitchell Daily Republic, 1/3).

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