In the United States, one of the most stigmatized, yet little understood, public health concerns is sexually transmitted infections (STIs). STIs are frequently dreaded, but many people are unaware of how to properly protect themselves. The fact that over one in five Americans currently has an STI demonstrates the desperate need for increased awareness and preventative measures to be taken up by a greater number of people. 

Someone’s demographic and behavioral information, including their race, income level, age, and where they live, can play a determining role in which STIs they are most likely to encounter. The regional differences in infection rates are drastic. Some of the highest infection rates — more than 1,000 cases per 100,000 residents — are reported by Louisiana, Alaska, Georgia, Minnesota, and South Dakota. Rates in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Utah are much lower, at about half the amount. Due to higher population density, metropolitan areas notably report higher rates compared to suburban or rural areas. Statistics show that the highest rates of STIs can be found in Southern cities. 

STI risk is heavily influenced by someone’s behavior. Unsurprisingly, choosing to have unprotected sex can lead to a higher chance of contracting an STI. There are higher rates depending on the type of STI. For example, syphilis is transmitted in 51% to 64% of unprotected sexual encounters, followed by gonorrhea (20%) and chlamydia (4.5%). HIV is the most dangerous STI, but is thankfully only transmitted in about .5% to .1% of cases of unprotected sex. 

Other risky behaviors include having many sexual partners and participating in substance abuse. Women are especially at risk, being eight times more likely to have an STI if they have had five or more partners. Substances such as alcohol and cocaine are often consumed in party settings, and therefore may have a correlational effect with higher rates of exposure to STIs. Dating apps are another way STIs can spread, as people engage with sex with others who have not been properly tested for STIs. 

Demographic factors also affect the prevalence of STIs. More than 30% of Black Americans have syphilis, gonorrhea, or chlamydia, making them the group with the highest infection rates. 31% of white Americans report having syphilis, while more than 20% report having the other two STIs. Overall, rates reported by Hispanic and Latino groups are marginally lower. Another important factor is socioeconomic status: people who depend on public transit, are below the poverty line, or do not have health insurance are more vulnerable. It should come as no surprise that younger persons have a much higher risk of getting an STI than older adults.

Although there are concerns, prevention is possible. Although abstinence is the best approach, sexually active people can benefit by committing to routine testing, condom use, and post-exposure vaccines. Bringing attention to the data surrounding STIs can help to displace fear and arm people with the knowledge they need to protect themselves. 

Source: eNationalTesting.com