NORTH CAROLINA: Robeson Syphilis Rate Plunges

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

NORTH CAROLINA: Robeson Syphilis Rate Plunges

Fayetteville Observer (12.12.05) - Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Venita Jenkins

After four years of aggressive screening and awareness campaigns, Robeson County syphilis cases have dropped by 80 percent, county health officials said recently. In 2001, Robeson reported 144 cases, or 73 cases per 100,000 residents, according to CDC. As of Dec. 1, the county logged only 18 cases for 2005, mostly among black and Native Americans.

"It hasn't been eradicated, but 18 cases compared to 144 a couple of years ago, I think that speaks for itself," said Karen Woodell, county syphilis elimination coordinator. "But, at any given time, we could have 50 cases pop up. We have to continue our efforts and keep our numbers down."

In 1999, Robeson was among eight counties CDC selected to receive money for awareness efforts. To fight the disease, Robeson has received more than $1.4 million from CDC and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

An estimated 10-20 percent of those who have syphilis have yet to be treated, said Bill Smith, Robeson County Health director. Elimination efforts include locating 30 condom distribution sites in areas where many syphilis cases are reported, jail and mobile-unit screenings, and partnering with nonprofit and faith-based groups. The state also targets sex workers and the gay and Hispanic communities for awareness and free testing, and it offers screening in homes.

Woodell said the Internet may be one venue for outreach workers to reach men who have sex with men, who accounted for about 71 percent of state syphilis cases this year. In Guilford, Internet outreach started two years ago, providing information about syphilis and free testing. That program helped contact possibly infected sexual partners as well.
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