BRIMBANK has the highest rate of sexually transmitted diseases, like chlamydia and gonorrhea in the West, according to new figures from the Department of Health.
Statistics from the department show there were 575 cases of chlamydia diagnosed in Brimbank between 1 January and 13 November last year.
There were also 97 cases of gonorrhea detected in Brimbank within the same timeframe.
Elsewhere in the West, Wyndham had just under 490 cases of chlamydia, while Moonee Valley accounted for more than 290 cases and Melton had 250.
Maribyrnong recorded more than 245 cases and Hobsons Bay less than 240.
The municipality of Maribyrnong was diagnosed with more than 60 cases of gonorrhea, Wyndham 55 and Moonee Valley less than 45.
Hobsons Bay and Melton both recorded less than 25 cases of gonorrhea each.
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) which can infect both women and men.
This STD often goes undiagnosed in women as it usually shows no systems and – if untreated – can cause permanent damage to a female’s reproductive organs.
Gonorrhea can also infect both women and men, and if left untreated can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, affecting joints and heart valves.
A recent report from Women’s Health West said teenage fertility rates, low pap screening rates and the low proportion of contraceptive use “all highlight the sexual and reproductive health of young women in Brimbank as a significant health priority”.
Women’s Health West health promotion worker Anna Vu said boys and girls needed to learn about
safe sex and respectful relationships at a young age.
“We need to move away from the double standards about young women bearing all the responsibility of ‘planning’ to have sex,” she said.
The Women’s Health West report said accessible and affordable health services and contraception were needed in Brimbank.
“Services that offer access to contraception must be made accessible and appropriate to women from a range of different backgrounds, including young women, women from migrant and refugee backgrounds, women with a disability and women who have experienced sexual violence,” Ms Vu said.
