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October 22, 2002
The STD/AIDS Prevention Branch of the Hawaii Department of Health is
joining with the California STD/HIV Prevention Training Center from
Berkeley, California, to present a STD update training for clinicians,
nurses and other interested health providers. The Clinician Update will
be held on Wednesday, October 30, 2002 at the Ala Moana Hotel from 8:00
a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Trainers are nationally know experts in the field and
will provide a national and local perspective to dealing with the
increasing sexually transmitted disease epidemic.
Peter Whiticar, Chief of the STD/AIDS Prevention Branch said,
"Historically, combating STDs in Hawaii has been a collaborative effort
between the Health Department, private and military providers and
laboratories. This update brings us all together to confront the
disturbing new trends in STD infections in Hawaii."
The last three years have seen a marked increase in Hawaii’s
rates of sexually transmitted diseases. This follows 20 years of almost
steady decline. More cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia are
being reported particularly among younger people aged 24 and under but
all age groups are potentially at risk. One of the special concerns in
Hawaii is the relatively rapid increase in drug resistant gonorrhea.
These are strains of the STD that cannot be successfully treated with
some of the most common treatment regimens. This can make treatment
more problematic.
An untreated STD in either a HIV negative or positive individual can
increase the likelihood of HIV transmission. Preventing the spread of
STD through appropriate medical management of the patient and their
partners and through safer sex helps prevent the transmission of
HIV.
Advance registration is available only until Friday, October 25.
Limited walk up registration will be available at the door. The cost is
$75 for physicians and $50 for all others, including lunch and
refreshments. CMEs will be available. Additional information and
registration forms for the conference can be obtained by calling the UH
Conference Center at 956-8204.
The California STD/AIDS Training Center will also be offering a free
lecture, open to all, entitled "Exposing the Hidden Epidemic: Current
Challenges in STD Control" on Friday, November 1 in the Biomedical
Sciences Building, T211 at UH Manoa. Contact 733-9115 for details.
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