1. Human Sexuality Sexually Transmitted Infections

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

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

4. 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)

5. 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

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

7. 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: 15-24 year olds Higher rates in ethnic/racial minorities Role of social factors

8. 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

9. 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

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

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

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

13. Chlamydia 75% of cases reported in 2004 were in women between the ages of 15-24 Rate is 3x higher for women By age 30, 50% of sexually active women show evidence that they had chlamydia during their lifetime

14. 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