Combatting Public Health Concerns of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Cobb and Douglas Counties
Abstract
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)—notably chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis—are on the rise in the United States, and District 3-1 (Cobb and Douglas counties) has seen this trend, too, with an overall 19.6 percent increase from 2018 to 2022. Gonorrhea saw the largest increase at 70%. Particularly alarming is the increase in STIs being reported in adolescents and young adults. District 3-1 congenital syphilis increased from 41 cases in 2018 to 101 cases in 2022, a 146% increase (source: DPH OASIS). To mitigate this public health concern, the Cobb and Douglas Public Health team engaged in a variety of projects courtesy of CDC funding to the Georgia Department of Public Health. These efforts included providing rapid syphilis tests in Adult Health Clinics, training for STI Epidemiology and HIV Prevention staff, and innovative prevention strategies, including launching two media campaigns. Both public communications campaigns utilized social media and radio. The first focused on youth/young adults, and the second on congenital syphilis prevention. Both campaigns examined research and employed brain and behavior science techniques. STIs can be an overwhelming topic. For many people, it can be unpleasant or embarrassing to discuss anything having to do with sex—much less associated illnesses. Using behavior science, these efforts educated audiences about STIs in general and the complexities of congenital syphilis. Key messages included, “Don’t stress the test,” for youth and, for pregnant women, “Pass on the best of you.” The campaigns were developed to reduce stigma, present information in simple steps, and not incite fear in the target audiences. The youth campaign had over 3 million impressions, reaching hundreds of thousands of people through Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, and streaming radio; the adult campaign is currently running.
Keywords
Public health, STIs, campaign, adolescents, pregnancy, syphilis
Combatting Public Health Concerns of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Cobb and Douglas Counties
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)—notably chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis—are on the rise in the United States, and District 3-1 (Cobb and Douglas counties) has seen this trend, too, with an overall 19.6 percent increase from 2018 to 2022. Gonorrhea saw the largest increase at 70%. Particularly alarming is the increase in STIs being reported in adolescents and young adults. District 3-1 congenital syphilis increased from 41 cases in 2018 to 101 cases in 2022, a 146% increase (source: DPH OASIS). To mitigate this public health concern, the Cobb and Douglas Public Health team engaged in a variety of projects courtesy of CDC funding to the Georgia Department of Public Health. These efforts included providing rapid syphilis tests in Adult Health Clinics, training for STI Epidemiology and HIV Prevention staff, and innovative prevention strategies, including launching two media campaigns. Both public communications campaigns utilized social media and radio. The first focused on youth/young adults, and the second on congenital syphilis prevention. Both campaigns examined research and employed brain and behavior science techniques. STIs can be an overwhelming topic. For many people, it can be unpleasant or embarrassing to discuss anything having to do with sex—much less associated illnesses. Using behavior science, these efforts educated audiences about STIs in general and the complexities of congenital syphilis. Key messages included, “Don’t stress the test,” for youth and, for pregnant women, “Pass on the best of you.” The campaigns were developed to reduce stigma, present information in simple steps, and not incite fear in the target audiences. The youth campaign had over 3 million impressions, reaching hundreds of thousands of people through Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, and streaming radio; the adult campaign is currently running.
