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Source: https://www.nhonews.com/news/2019/oc...-increase-hiv/
Tuba City faces outbreak of syphilis, increase in HIV
By Joshua Lavar Butler, for the Navajo-Hopi Observer
Originally Published: October 29, 2019 1:06 p.m.
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The Tuba City service area is currently dealing with a syphilis outbreak.
Rates have been increasing over the past year which is not uncommon as rates fluctuate in various areas across the country.
Dr. Sophina Calderon at Tuba City Regional Health Care Corp. explained Sept. 20 that the hospital was actively investigating and attempting to find the source.
“We have pretty much narrowed it down,” she said.
Calderon said the syphilis rates are usually related to Tuba City’s location near the edge of the reservation and many people travel to Phoenix and Flagstaff where they have sexual contact.
She also said the local methamphetamine use contributes to the problem. Sometimes women trade sex for drugs at these meth houses. There is currently an effort to identify and get these meth houses shut down. For men, about two-thirds of syphilis cases occur from MSM, or men having sex with men.
Calderon explained the rise in syphilis cases is very concerning because the chances of contracting HIV increases greatly...
Tuba City faces outbreak of syphilis, increase in HIV
By Joshua Lavar Butler, for the Navajo-Hopi Observer
Originally Published: October 29, 2019 1:06 p.m.
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The Tuba City service area is currently dealing with a syphilis outbreak.
Rates have been increasing over the past year which is not uncommon as rates fluctuate in various areas across the country.
Dr. Sophina Calderon at Tuba City Regional Health Care Corp. explained Sept. 20 that the hospital was actively investigating and attempting to find the source.
“We have pretty much narrowed it down,” she said.
Calderon said the syphilis rates are usually related to Tuba City’s location near the edge of the reservation and many people travel to Phoenix and Flagstaff where they have sexual contact.
She also said the local methamphetamine use contributes to the problem. Sometimes women trade sex for drugs at these meth houses. There is currently an effort to identify and get these meth houses shut down. For men, about two-thirds of syphilis cases occur from MSM, or men having sex with men.
Calderon explained the rise in syphilis cases is very concerning because the chances of contracting HIV increases greatly...