A recent study from the University of Otago has revealed that sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during the Otago gold rush were less prevalent than commonly believed. This groundbreaking research, published in the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, analyzed hospital records and newspaper articles from 1864 to 1869.
The study focused on the incidence of syphilis and gonorrhea, exploring both their prevalence and societal attitudes towards those affected. The findings challenge longstanding perceptions about the impact of these diseases during a transformative period in New Zealand's history.