Sexually transmitted infections are on the rise, putting more people at risk as they spread. Chlamydia rates have nearly doubled since 2000, while the rate of gonorrhea went up by 50% over the same period. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that syphilis rates are reaching levels last seen in the 1950s.
But some regions of the U.S. are seeing higher rates than others.
Stacker used CDC data to look at which counties reported the highest rate of sexually transmitted infections in Mississippi. Counties are ranked by the rate of chlamydia infections, the most prominent STI at the national level, with gonorrhea and then syphilis rates serving as tiebreakers. This story focuses on bacterial infections, which can be cured, rather than viral infections such as HIV and herpes. At the county level, 2021 cases are the most recent available from the CDC, but state and national-level data for 2022 are also included. This story focuses on sexual transmissions and does not include congenital syphilis cases that were inherited from the mother.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent the spread of STIs for people with multiple sexual partners, but research has found a decreasing rate of condom use among straight, bisexual, and gay male populations.
During the HIV/AIDS epidemic throughout the 1980s and 1990s, public health efforts advocating for condom use helped curb the spread of the virus. Today, however, condoms are no longer the only tool. Pills such as PrEP lower the risk of contracting HIV from sex by as much as 99%.
While more recent data is not available, the latest CDC survey from 2011-2015 showed less than half of unmarried men used condoms during the last time they had sex.
Among high school students having sex, the share using condoms has fallen from 60% in 2011 to 52% in 2021. While one-third of sexually active students used hormonal birth control, only 10% used both condoms and birth control. Methods like the pill and IUDs are effective at preventing pregnancy but do not stop the spread of STIs.
Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are technically bacterial infections—meaning they can be cured with antibiotics—but they can still have lasting health impacts, including pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. These risks are heightened when left untreated, which many STIs are as they don't obviously present themselves.
The CDC recommends annual testing for cisgender women, transgender men, and gender-nonconforming people with cervixes. It also recommends annual testing for males with male sexual partners. People in these groups who frequently have sex with anonymous partners should be tested every three to six months. Anyone with symptoms should always get tested according to the guidelines.
The CDC says there is little evidence that screening among straight men lowers the spread, and the agency's limited budget is put towards programs benefiting the most at-risk groups. However, some public health groups advocate for testing among all people regardless of sex and sexual orientation.
Data from the National Survey of Family Growth shows men on average have more opposite-sex sexual partners than women, and some argue that catching STIs throughout a sexual network rather than just for the most at-risk groups could curb their spread.
Soon, a pill may also help counter the spread of STIs. DoxyPEP can be taken 24 to 72 hours after unprotected sex and stops an STI before it becomes spreadable and symptomatic. The CDC has shared proposed guidelines recommending it for men who have sex with men and transgender women. The drug was originally approved for treating inhalation of anthrax, and doctors can prescribe it for off-label use.
Read on to see how STI infection rates in Mississippi compare nationally, and the top counties.
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Emma Rubin // Stacker
1 / 51State-level statistics
- Chlamydia cases: 781.2 per 100K (#2 nationally, 22,968 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 371.9 per 100K (#1 nationally, 10,933 cases)
- Primary and secondary syphilis cases: 31.1 per 100K (#5 nationally, 913 cases)
#50. Walthall County
- Chlamydia cases: 607.1 per 100K people (84 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 513.2 per 100K people (71 case)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 43.4 per 100K people (6 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 14.5 per 100K people (2 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 28.9 per 100K people (4 cases)
#49. Pontotoc County
- Chlamydia cases: 610.6 per 100K people (192 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 324.4 per 100K people (102 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 60.4 per 100K people (19 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 41.3 per 100K people (13 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 19.1 per 100K people (6 cases)
SevenMaps // Shutterstock
4 / 51#48. Calhoun County
- Chlamydia cases: 614.5 per 100K people (80 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 314.9 per 100K people (41 case)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 23.0 per 100K people (3 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 23.0 per 100K people (3 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
#47. Lawrence County
- Chlamydia cases: 626.5 per 100K people (74 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 381.0 per 100K people (45 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 93.1 per 100K people (11 case)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 42.3 per 100K people (5 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 50.8 per 100K people (6 cases)
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#46. Marion County
- Chlamydia cases: 627.6 per 100K people (153 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 512.8 per 100K people (125 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 90.2 per 100K people (22 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 57.4 per 100K people (14 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 32.8 per 100K people (8 cases)
#45. Lamar County
- Chlamydia cases: 628.9 per 100K people (411 case)
- Gonorrhea cases: 275.4 per 100K people (180 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 68.9 per 100K people (45 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 52.0 per 100K people (34 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 16.8 per 100K people (11 case)
#44. Yalobusha County
- Chlamydia cases: 636.3 per 100K people (79 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 402.7 per 100K people (50 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 48.3 per 100K people (6 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 40.3 per 100K people (5 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 8.1 per 100K people (1 case)
SevenMaps // Shutterstock
9 / 51#43. Attala County
- Chlamydia cases: 676.4 per 100K people (120 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 310.0 per 100K people (55 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 22.5 per 100K people (4 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 22.5 per 100K people (4 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
#41. Lafayette County
- Chlamydia cases: 682.1 per 100K people (388 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 300.6 per 100K people (171 case)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 42.2 per 100K people (24 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 26.4 per 100K people (15 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 15.8 per 100K people (9 cases)
#40. Marshall County
- Chlamydia cases: 699.8 per 100K people (236 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 344.0 per 100K people (116 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 38.5 per 100K people (13 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 26.7 per 100K people (9 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 11.9 per 100K people (4 cases)
#39. Jackson County
- Chlamydia cases: 707.7 per 100K people (1,019 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 423.0 per 100K people (609 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 25.7 per 100K people (37 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 18.1 per 100K people (26 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 7.6 per 100K people (11 case)
#38. Jasper County
- Chlamydia cases: 712.0 per 100K people (116 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 429.7 per 100K people (70 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 79.8 per 100K people (13 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 30.7 per 100K people (5 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 49.1 per 100K people (8 cases)
#37. Wilkinson County
- Chlamydia cases: 733.6 per 100K people (61 case)
- Gonorrhea cases: 384.8 per 100K people (32 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 0 cases
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
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#36. Scott County
- Chlamydia cases: 739.2 per 100K people (204 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 554.4 per 100K people (153 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 76.1 per 100K people (21 case)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 58.0 per 100K people (16 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 18.1 per 100K people (5 cases)
#35. Covington County
- Chlamydia cases: 744.0 per 100K people (136 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 361.1 per 100K people (66 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 153.2 per 100K people (28 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 109.4 per 100K people (20 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 43.8 per 100K people (8 cases)
#34. Neshoba County
- Chlamydia cases: 796.7 per 100K people (231 case)
- Gonorrhea cases: 372.5 per 100K people (108 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 69.0 per 100K people (20 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 34.5 per 100K people (10 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 34.5 per 100K people (10 cases)
Chad Robertson Media // Shutterstock
19 / 51#33. Jones County
- Chlamydia cases: 798.6 per 100K people (533 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 451.0 per 100K people (301 case)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 62.9 per 100K people (42 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 46.4 per 100K people (31 case)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 16.5 per 100K people (11 case)
SevenMaps // Shutterstock
20 / 51#32. Wayne County
- Chlamydia cases: 801.7 per 100K people (158 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 542.9 per 100K people (107 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 45.7 per 100K people (9 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 35.5 per 100K people (7 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 10.1 per 100K people (2 cases)
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Malachi Jacobs // Shutterstock
21 / 51#31. Yazoo County
- Chlamydia cases: 803.9 per 100K people (212 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 436.1 per 100K people (115 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 15.2 per 100K people (4 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 11.4 per 100K people (3 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 3.8 per 100K people (1 case)
#30. Montgomery County
- Chlamydia cases: 812.0 per 100K people (79 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 442.0 per 100K people (43 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 30.8 per 100K people (3 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 30.8 per 100K people (3 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
#29. Lee County
- Chlamydia cases: 856.6 per 100K people (710 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 647.9 per 100K people (537 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 79.6 per 100K people (66 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 53.1 per 100K people (44 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 26.5 per 100K people (22 cases)
#28. Oktibbeha County
- Chlamydia cases: 885.4 per 100K people (459 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 428.2 per 100K people (222 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 67.5 per 100K people (35 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 48.2 per 100K people (25 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 19.3 per 100K people (10 cases)
#27. Lowndes County
- Chlamydia cases: 894.2 per 100K people (520 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 564.1 per 100K people (328 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 68.8 per 100K people (40 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 29.2 per 100K people (17 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 39.6 per 100K people (23 cases)
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#26. Washington County
- Chlamydia cases: 895.0 per 100K people (391 case)
- Gonorrhea cases: 489.8 per 100K people (214 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 50.4 per 100K people (22 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 27.5 per 100K people (12 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 22.9 per 100K people (10 cases)
#25. Monroe County
- Chlamydia cases: 906.1 per 100K people (307 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 546.0 per 100K people (185 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 62.0 per 100K people (21 case)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 38.4 per 100K people (13 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 23.6 per 100K people (8 cases)
#24. Winston County
- Chlamydia cases: 915.0 per 100K people (161 case)
- Gonorrhea cases: 471.7 per 100K people (83 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 68.2 per 100K people (12 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 22.7 per 100K people (4 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 45.5 per 100K people (8 cases)
Chad Robertson Media // Shutterstock
29 / 51#23. Leake County
- Chlamydia cases: 924.7 per 100K people (196 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 504.8 per 100K people (107 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 28.3 per 100K people (6 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 9.4 per 100K people (2 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 18.9 per 100K people (4 cases)
#22. Warren County
- Chlamydia cases: 933.9 per 100K people (407 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 468.1 per 100K people (204 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 43.6 per 100K people (19 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 25.2 per 100K people (11 case)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 18.4 per 100K people (8 cases)
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#21. Grenada County
- Chlamydia cases: 936.1 per 100K people (200 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 468.1 per 100K people (100 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 28.1 per 100K people (6 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 18.7 per 100K people (4 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 9.4 per 100K people (2 cases)
#20. Tallahatchie County
- Chlamydia cases: 946.1 per 100K people (117 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 574.2 per 100K people (71 case)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 40.4 per 100K people (5 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 8.1 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 32.3 per 100K people (4 cases)
#19. Jefferson Davis County
- Chlamydia cases: 961.0 per 100K people (107 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 494.0 per 100K people (55 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 71.9 per 100K people (8 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 53.9 per 100K people (6 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 18.0 per 100K people (2 cases)
#18. Sunflower County
- Chlamydia cases: 976.3 per 100K people (248 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 350.4 per 100K people (89 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 3.9 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 3.9 per 100K people (1 case)
#17. Panola County
- Chlamydia cases: 992.4 per 100K people (326 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 566.2 per 100K people (186 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 63.9 per 100K people (21 case)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 42.6 per 100K people (14 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 21.3 per 100K people (7 cases)
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#16. Chickasaw County
- Chlamydia cases: 1,040.5 per 100K people (177 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 770.1 per 100K people (131 case)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 52.9 per 100K people (9 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 35.3 per 100K people (6 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 17.6 per 100K people (3 cases)
TLF Images // Shutterstock
37 / 51#15. Bolivar County
- Chlamydia cases: 1,052.5 per 100K people (319 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 409.1 per 100K people (124 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 13.2 per 100K people (4 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 9.9 per 100K people (3 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 3.3 per 100K people (1 case)
#14. Pike County
- Chlamydia cases: 1,063.2 per 100K people (425 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 758.0 per 100K people (303 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 35.0 per 100K people (14 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 12.5 per 100K people (5 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 22.5 per 100K people (9 cases)
#13. Forrest County
- Chlamydia cases: 1,140.3 per 100K people (888 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 697.3 per 100K people (543 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 156.7 per 100K people (122 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 109.1 per 100K people (85 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 47.5 per 100K people (37 cases)
#12. Clay County
- Chlamydia cases: 1,165.4 per 100K people (216 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 755.3 per 100K people (140 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 86.3 per 100K people (16 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 21.6 per 100K people (4 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 64.7 per 100K people (12 cases)
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#11. Jefferson County
- Chlamydia cases: 1,179.7 per 100K people (85 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 582.9 per 100K people (42 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 27.8 per 100K people (2 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 27.8 per 100K people (2 cases)
#10. Copiah County
- Chlamydia cases: 1,214.5 per 100K people (340 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 507.2 per 100K people (142 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 35.7 per 100K people (10 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 21.4 per 100K people (6 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 14.3 per 100K people (4 cases)
#9. Noxubee County
- Chlamydia cases: 1,254.6 per 100K people (127 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 740.9 per 100K people (75 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 49.4 per 100K people (5 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 39.5 per 100K people (4 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 9.9 per 100K people (1 case)
#8. Sharkey County
- Chlamydia cases: 1,283.1 per 100K people (47 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 436.8 per 100K people (16 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 54.6 per 100K people (2 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 54.6 per 100K people (2 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
#7. Hinds County
- Chlamydia cases: 1,310.0 per 100K people (2,917 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 864.9 per 100K people (1,926 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 86.2 per 100K people (192 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 36.4 per 100K people (81 case)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 49.8 per 100K people (111 case)
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#6. Humphreys County
- Chlamydia cases: 1,377.3 per 100K people (104 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 569.5 per 100K people (43 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 26.5 per 100K people (2 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 13.2 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 13.2 per 100K people (1 case)
#5. Tunica County
- Chlamydia cases: 1,382.0 per 100K people (134 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 660.1 per 100K people (64 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 61.9 per 100K people (6 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 61.9 per 100K people (6 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
#4. Leflore County
- Chlamydia cases: 1,458.8 per 100K people (402 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 751.2 per 100K people (207 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 18.1 per 100K people (5 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 7.3 per 100K people (2 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 10.9 per 100K people (3 cases)
SevenMaps // Shutterstock
49 / 51#3. Quitman County
- Chlamydia cases: 1,499.6 per 100K people (89 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 674.0 per 100K people (40 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 33.7 per 100K people (2 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 33.7 per 100K people (2 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
SevenMaps // Shutterstock
50 / 51#2. Holmes County
- Chlamydia cases: 1,648.9 per 100K people (272 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 1,000.2 per 100K people (165 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 42.4 per 100K people (7 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 30.3 per 100K people (5 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 12.1 per 100K people (2 cases)
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#1. Coahoma County
- Chlamydia cases: 1,826.0 per 100K people (380 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 889.0 per 100K people (185 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 124.9 per 100K people (26 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 91.3 per 100K people (19 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 33.6 per 100K people (7 cases)
This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 49 states.
