Icelanders are the best at spreading chlamydia, according to Rannveig Pálsdóttir, a doctor specialising in genito-urinary medicine.
“We’re Nordic champions at the very least,” Rannveig told RÚV, adding that much of the issue stems from limited condom use among young Icelanders. Chlamydia is most common among Icelanders aged between 17 and 25.
As reported, 2,179 cases of chlamydia were diagnosed in Iceland last year, marking a 14% increase from 2012. This puts Iceland in the number one spot for instances of chlamydia of all European countries – where it has been for the past ten years.
“People just don’t think about it until after,” said Rannveig. “People know [they should wear protection], but somehow it’s turned into a shlep to use condoms. They say it doesn’t feel as good and sometimes girls will tell me it’s over faster. Then of course, there’s the fact that girls are on the pill, so people aren’t afraid of unwanted pregnancies anymore. That’s changed a lot.”
Rannveig added that in a small society such as Iceland, stemming the spread of chlamydia should be doable, that Iceland could stand to do better.
“It should be much easier to pull off here,” said Rannveig. “Besides the medication is free, so it does not have to be this way. We should be doing better.”
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