Major advances in HIV diagnosis and treatment have reduced fear of sexually transmitted infections, contributing to a decline in consistent condom use, a Chilean midwife says. Photo by cottonbro studio/Pexels
SANTIAGO, Chile, July 14 (UPI) -- A sustained rise in syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections has raised concerns across Latin America and the Caribbean, with more than 40% of the world's syphilis cases recorded in the Americas, according to the Pan American Health Organization.
The region is also seeing increases in HIV and gonorrhea cases.
Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Uruguay are among the countries reporting the highest incidence rates and sustained increases in new diagnoses.
"This problem is already urgent throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Therefore, we should not wait until the figures become even more serious to implement permanent public policies," Romina Bustos, a professor of midwifery at Diego Portales University's School of Midwifery in Chile, told UPI.
