MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- For many, the thought of a disease infecting populations at epidemic levels may bring to mind the suffering of millions in third-world countries. But suffering and pain are increasingly common fare in America, where the number of people infected with a sexually transmitted disease rises daily.
Marines and Sailors here are not exempt from the dangerous trend. In fact, the 2003 Station chlamydia infection rate was three times higher than the average rates experienced by the rest of the Navy and Marine Corps, said Navy Lt. Gene Garland, environmental health officer at the Station Branch Medical Clinic.
Diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, hepatitis b and syphilis are often uncomfortable, sometimes painful, may cause sterility, and, if left untreated, could be life threatening.
"[Marines and Sailors] need to be aware of the dangers," said Garland. "I can't emphasize enough the importance of condom use. [Condoms] don't provide 100 percent protection, but wearing them significantly reduces the risks."
However, a recent survey by the Navy Environmental Health Center showed that among unmarried active duty service members, less than 50% wore condoms during their last sexual encounter.
The BMC's preventive medicine office provides a variety of resources to service members here, said Petty Officer 3rd Class Jeffrey Bush, preventive medicine technician. In addition to the required annual training provided to units, the office also supplies free condoms and educational materials, he added.
According to Garland, Preventive Medicine is currently working on strategies with the local Japanese Public Health Department to reduce the number of STDs present among service members.
Many Marines and Sailors are afraid to visit the office for fear that confidentiality will be violated, noted Garland. "That shouldn't even be an issue," he said. According to the Erie, Pa., native, medical personnel must uphold rules established by federal law, which dictates standards of privacy of individuals' health information.
"The information we receive is used only for medical purposes," said Garland. "We don't take punitive action. Our goal is to treat and counsel the individual."
"Our door is always open," added Bush. "We provide very private counseling and education."
When Marines and Sailors use condoms or choose to abstain from having sex, they benefit not only themselves, but the military as well. Identifying and treating STDs costs the Station thousands of dollars a year, said Garland. Also, the debilitating effects of some STDs can affect mission readiness.
The average condom costs a quarter, said Garland, and its use may save a service member from discomfort, sterility, unplanned pregnancy or deadly diseases.
"Weigh the risks," Garland said. "Educate and protect yourself."
What it really comes down to, he said, is personal responsibility.
"We will do everything we can, but preventing STDs and ensuring sexual health is ultimately the responsibility of the individual service member," Garland concluded.