In the United States, a staggering 20% of people currently have a sexually transmitted infection. There are a variety of factors that determine one’s risk of joining this growing group that are important to understand in order to promote and ensure safe sex.
Locality is a large factor in determining risk of STI contraction, and those living in the south or in and around larger cities are at the highest risk. Personal choices like not using protection, having multiple or unknown partners and even substance abuse can change the landscape of spreading STIs as well. Research also shows that one’s background may be more telling than originally thought, as attributes like ethnicity, income, age and gender could point to varying levels of risk. Finally, sexual identity surely plays a role in the spread of STIs. Homosexual and heterosexual couples engage intimately in different ways, involving different types of sex and introducing different types of STIs to the relationship if proper measures of protection are not taken.
Fortunately, there are many ways that we can curb the spread of these diseases. Although abstinence is the only foolproof method of prevention, proper protection, testing and vaccination are all great ways to promote safe sex and healthy relationship intimacy.
Learn more about your chances of getting an STD below:
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