Human Sexuality Sexually Transmitted Infections

STIs/STDs Sexually Transmitted Infections: More accurate than “STDs” A less judgmental term?

Types of STIs Bacterial and curable Chlamydia, gonorrhea Viral and incurable HIV, genital warts

The STI Epidemic A public health challenge “hidden” and taboo Difficult to estimate the incidence of STIs “The socio-cultural taboos related to sexuality are a barrier to STD prevention” (Eng & Butler, 1997)

Statistics 4 of the 5 most common infectious diseases reported in the US are STIs 18.9 million new cases of STIs were reported in 2000; 48% were among individuals between the ages of 15-24

Statistics STI rates in the US far exceed those of every other industrialized nation Why?

STIs All sexually active persons are at risk, those certain groups are at higher risk: Women contract STIs more easily than men Sex with high risk partners Anal sex Age disparities: year olds Higher rates in ethnic/racial minorities Role of social factors

Biological Considerations New research- nonoxynol-9 Young women: at increased risk of chlamydia and gonorrhea due to an immature cervix Men- new research on circumcision

Behavioral Factors Initiating sex at an early age- greater likelihood of more sexual partners through the lifespan Numerous sexual partners Having sex with unfamiliar/non-exclusive individuals

High Risk Behaviors Anal intercourse Paying for sex Casual sexual encounters Unprotected intercourse Substance abuse

Social Factors Poverty/marginalization Access to health care Secrecy/moral conflict regarding sexuality

Consequences of STIs Blindness, cancer, infertility, miscarriage, death A preexisting STD increases our risk of becoming infected with HIV

Chlamydia 75% of cases reported in 2004 were in women between the ages of Rate is 3x higher for women By age 30, 50% of sexually active women show evidence that they had chlamydia during their lifetime

Preventing STIs Abstinence Sexual exclusivity- getting tested with a partner Knowing your own/your partner’s risk Minimize number of sex partners Condom use during all sexual activities Avoid IV drug use