Archival records reveal prevalence of sexually transmitted infections during Otago's gold rush less than purported
Why it matters: This research plugs a knowledge gap regarding health and social contexts of STIs during New Zealand's colonial period.
- University of Otago research found that syphilis and gonorrhea prevalence in Otago gold rush hospitals (4.3% and 2.8% respectively) was lower than depicted in popular culture, matching current Southern region gonorrhea rates.
- Lead author Kirsten Rutten noted that popular culture books often lack archival and clinical evidence for their high STI claims, suggesting they don't tell the full story.
- Hospital records showed 113 men and 47 women admitted for syphilis, and 84 men and 15 women for gonorrhea in Dunedin Hospital, with men in maritime or mining occupations more commonly affected.
- Newspaper reports from the era highlighted a deep-rooted stigma, linking women's infections to vagrancy and prostitution while generally sparing men similar character judgments.
New University of Otago research challenges popular historical narratives, revealing that sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during Otago's gold rush were less prevalent than often portrayed in popular culture books. The study, which analyzed hospital records and newspaper articles from 1864-1869, found that while STIs like syphilis and gonorrhea affected diverse demographics, societal attitudes disproportionately stigmatized women, often linking their infections to prostitution.
