Studies show that 1 in 5 people in the United States live with a sexually transmitted infection (STI). For sexually active adults, it is important to understand what factors may determine how at risk one is for contracting one of these diseases. Where one lives, the choices they make, their identity and background and who they love are considered to be major players in this determination. Understanding one’s profile according to these four pillars is essential to leading a healthy lifestyle.
Where one lives can determine how high the risk is for contracting an STI, as some parts of the United States carry a higher risk level than others. States with the highest risk include Louisiana and Georgia, while the lowest risk has been attributed to states like Utah, Idaho and New Jersey. Overall, those who live in the southern regions of the country or in and around larger metropolitan cities suffer the greatest risk.
There are many lifestyle choices that one can make that will also increase the risk of contracting an STI. Having unprotected sex or using improper protection is commonly attributed to the spread of STIs. Having more than one sexual partner can also increase risk, as research has shown that women with 5 or more sexual patterns are 8x more likely to have an STI.
Using dating apps can also increase risk, as the uncertainty behind where that new partner has been or who they have been with can lead to rapid spread. In fact, although dating app users are nearly 2x more likely to be screened for STIs, they are 1.3x more likely to test positive. Substance abuse is another personal choice that has been positively linked to risky sexual behavior and subsequent positive STI tests.
Personal identity is made up from a number of attributes, many of which have been linked to the likelihood of a person contracting an STI. Traits like ethnicity, gender, age, income, educational experience and religious upbringing have all been considered determining factors in the spread of STIs. For example, Individuals with incomes below the poverty threshold, as well as younger individuals and women, are more likely to report having an STI.
A person’s sexual orientation can also determine how at risk they are for a sexually transmitted infection and which type of infection is most likely to affect them. Homosexual men are more likely to contract gonorrhea and heterosexual men are most affected by nongonococcal urethritis and herpes.
Homosexual women most often suffer from bacterial vaginosis when diagnosed and heterosexual women are most susceptible to syphilis. Overall, STI positivity rates are highest among gay and bisexual cisgender men at 35%, with nonbinary individuals following at 26% and transgender women at 25%. The type of sex one is having can also make a difference, as the risks from vaginal sex are often lower than anal sex.
Although there are a number of risk factors to consider when sexually active, abstinence, testing, protection and even vaccinations or post-exposure medication are available as risk reduction tools. With these resources widely available, it has never been easier to take control of one’s personal sexual health.
eNationalTesting.com
