 |
The mission of the Sexually Transmitted Disease/Human Immunodeficiency
Virus (STD/HIV) Division is to reduce the number of newly
diagnosed STDs in Mississippi — including HIV infection and AIDS — through surveillance,
education, and the administration of funds for housing, care, and community HIV programs.
|
STD/HIV Prevention
Mississippi is among a small group of national leaders in implementing the CDC's enhanced HIV prevention
initiative. Our strong field epidemiology techniques and attention to the prevention needs of those already infected
have steadily reduced HIV rates in the state for the last ten years.
To contribute to the MSDH's mission to promote and protect the health of the citizens of Mississippi,
the STD/HIV Divisions blends State and Federal funds to support a wide range of activities:
 |
Public health screening for syphilis, HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea |
|
Treatment of all diagnosed bacterial STDs, and patient referral to HIV services |
|
Public - private partnerships throughout the state to serve portions of the population for whom there are few other resources |
|
The Mobile Medical Clinic which, in conjunction with numerous private providers offers syphilis, HIV, blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol screening.
Private partners have also worked with MSDH staff on the Mobile Medical Clinic to provide PAP tests, clinical breast examinations,
gonorrhea and chlamydia screening, digital rectal examinations, and PSAs. |
|
Collaboration with the University of Mississippi Medical Center and Mall Services, LLC to develop and staff a
7,403 square foot combined STD/HIV Clinic at the Jackson Medical Mall. Entirely Federally funded, the Clinic
frees up resources to be channeled to other public health efforts. |
Results
|
Mississippi is now ranked 19th in syphilis, down from #1 eight years ago. In 1995, Mississippi was ranked #1 in primary and secondary syphilis nationally with a case rate of 78 per 100,000.
By December 31, 2002 this was reduced to 1.7 cases per 100,000. |
|
Reduction of syphilis in Hinds County. In 1997, Hinds County ranked 18th in primary and secondary syphilis nationally for primary and secondary syphilis.
By December 2002 it was no longer on the list of counties with high primary and secondary syphilis case rates.
|
|
HIV decline. The number of new cases of HIV disease reported in Mississippi continues to decline, from 707 in 1995 to 580 in 2002.
|
|
Access. Since August 1, 2001, the Mobile Medical Clinic provided vital public health screenings to 5,331 Mississippians at times and in
places where they could readily access them.
|
HIV and African-American Women
|
During the 10-year decline of HIV rates in Mississippi, the number of new cases in African-American women
has remained low, but relatively unchanged. Nationwide, the CDC estimates that HIV rates among
African-American women has risen from 14% of newly reported cases to 20% since 1992.
|
In The Future
|
In 2002, Mississippi ranked #2 nationally in chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Both of these diseases can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and increase the likelihood of HIV transmission.
Our goal is to expand chlamydia and gonorrhea screening and treatment throughout the state beyond the
federally-funded pilot sites that exist in high morbidity areas.
|
More information
|
