To What Extent Does Sexual Contact Contribute to the Spread of Sexually Transmitted Diseases - Research Paper Example

 To What Extent Does Sexual Contact Contribute To the Spread of Sexually Transmitted Diseases? Rationale and aims of the project Today, issues of sexually transmitted diseases have affected many families because of the impacts associated with the contact of such diseases. Many children have either been left orphans or infected at birth by their parents who are infected with STDS. Likewise, the relationships which existed in families have also been affected because of contacting of STDs with either of the partner in the relationship. However, the root cause for these problems experienced today in most families and governments is the sexual behavior of different individuals in the society. This paper, therefore examines certain aspects and issues in sexually transmitted diseases by trying answer the question on the extent sexual contact has played in the spread of STDs by looking at the keys issues affecting the topic, possible future scenarios and offering various interventions measures that can be applied in solving the issues (Shoquist & Stafford, 2004). Process Sexually transmitted diseases remain the most dangerous and prevalent health issues affecting many individuals especially youths in our society today. The society has taken a large stance in promoting abstinence in key issues related to sexual activities in the society. The results has however been drastic because the failure of explaining issues on the topic of sex has led to key issues which contributes to the spread of the sexually transmitted diseases among youths and the society at large. This has been caused as result of the sensitive nature of the topic as many individuals engage in sexual activities therefore finding it difficult to openly discuss the topic amongst themselves and to the younger generations in particular (Greenwood, 2012). Issues affecting STDs transmission Biological factors The different issues affecting the spread of sexually transmitted diseases are biological factors. STDs are known to be acquired by having unprotected sex with an infected partners and due to the fact that majority of STDs do not show symptoms at early stage, many of those who are infected can not tell that they need medical treatment. Moreover for those who are not infected it becomes extremely difficult to identify those with the infections. In relating to the issue of gender disparities, women constitute a large percentage of those suffering from complex sexually transmitted diseases than men. This is normally so because of the severity of the effects of STDs on them. Likewise, in relating to age disparity issue, youths are the ones prone to contact sexually disease more than adults because of the numerous sexually partners they have. In addition, they are always not aware of key issues relating to sexual contact and the transmission of STDs within the society (Passwater, 2007). Social, economic and behavioral factors Secondly, sexually transmitted diseases are also affected by social, economic and behavioral factors in a society. Racial and ethnic disparities also affects certain racial and ethnic groups because of them living in areas with high rates of STDs and considering such factors like poverty, limited access to healthcare and low attempts to get treatment increases the chances of contracting STDs. A good example is that in poverty stricken areas, the number of STDs is normally high than in areas which are not poverty stricken because of such things like inability to access medical treatment for the conditions they are suffering from. Moreover, poverty stricken areas encourage certain vices like prostitution which is a high ground for contacting STDs. Likewise, Substance abuse is also responsible for the spread of sexually transmitted disease because most individuals who abuse substance abuse because lack awareness on how to take care of themselves and look out for the groups affected. A good example is that those individuals who use drugs may share certain things like needles which may act as tools for transferring STDs from sexually transmitted persons to persons who are not infected. In addition, using drugs may blur the visions and judgments of those involved leading them to perform activities which normal people would no dare doing (Passwater, 2007). Social network factors Lastly issues in sexual networks also results to the spread of the STDs. This is always characterized by weird sexual behaviors like having and engaging in sex with numerous sexual partners. Moreover, some individuals do not value certain things like the use of protection when engaging with different sexual partners. A good example is that a person may have one partner but when the partner is engaging in sexual activities with other partners then the risk of the partners in contacting STDs is increased. A sexual network always refers to situations where individuals have sexual contact in circle of more than two individuals (Coon, Mitterer, Talbot & Vanchella, 2010). Different Perspective of STDs Both locally and internationally, there are different perspectives regarding the extent to which sexual contact contributes to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. The first perspective is that individuals can always see and accurately determine the signs of sexually transmitted diseases. According, to my understanding on STDs, the disease is not always identified by just looking at the genitals to determine whether a person is suffering from an infection or not. This is because STDs are not usually visible at all. Secondly, there is the perspective that one can contact STDs by merely touching those infected. In my opinion, this is not also true because STDs are not contagious infections rather they can only be passed through sexual or bodily fluid from an infected person. A good example is that a person who is infected with STDs can not pass the STDs to other members of family when there is no contact of bodily fluid. HIV for example can only be transmitted bys sharing bodily fluids in either having sex with an infected partner or sharing sharp objects used by the infected person. Thirdly, there exists a perspective that all kinds of STDs can be tested and treated. As much as this may sound convincing to a lot of people. Medically, this belief is false because not all STDs can be treated or tested. There are some diseases like HPV which can not be tested in men however, in women they can be tested through such processes like screening of cervical cancer. Likewise, it is difficult to test for such bacteria responsible for the transmission and spread of Chlamydia which is a STDs. Lastly, is the perspective that when you do not have STDs symptoms you are free from STDs and STI. Both locally and internationally this is false because different forms of STDs are characterized to be asymptomatic implying that they do not shows any signs and symptoms of infections. To accurately determine ones status on STDs infections, testing is the surest way of knowing whether one is positive or negative of any STDs infections (Nolte & Mckee, 2008). Possible future scenarios and action plan The possible future scenarios on the topic of the extent to sexual contact is responsible for the spread of STDs is that there the rate of sexual relations will decrease. This is because individuals will fear that any form of sexual contact with anyone will result to the spread and infections of STDs. When individuals are not engaging in sexual relations certain things like populations will be severely affected as people will shy of from such things like having babies because it will require them to engage in sexual activities. However, this future trend may be mitigated by ensuring that awareness sis created amongst individuals on what STDs and how they can be accurately identified. Likewise, emphasis will be placed on the responsible behaviors like having one sexual partner and not using such things like drugs within the society to curb against the spread of STDs (Coon, Mitterer, Talbot & Vanchella, 2010). Secondly, when the issue of STDs is not addressed accurately, future scenarios is that the rates of STDs experienced by individuals from different countries will greatly increases making it unsafe for any forms of sexual contact. As technology and globalizations increases, so do the vices practiced by human beings also increase. An example is that the twenty first century has witnessed high rates of same sex marriages in previous centuries because of the changing nature present in such systems like legal, economical and others. In the future, increased globalization will result to increase sexual vices thus increased rates at which STDs will be transmitted. However, this may be effectively addressed in the future by better targeting of geographical resources meant to deal with and handle cases of STDs. A good example is that more awareness campaigns should be initiated in the future to educate and create awareness amongst civilians on different issues of sexually transmitted diseases. This will be effective in curbing against the spread because individuals will be aware of issues and vices which are responsible for the spread of STDs and take actions which prevent them from contacting them. Likewise, an increase in centers where individuals are tested to determine whether individuals have been infected with STDs will help curb the situation because most individuals who discover that they are infected with STDs will seek medical treatment therefore stop the spread of the diseases to others who are not infected (Nolte & Mckee, 2008). In the future, increased STDs infections may increase the number of women and men who suffer from infertility resulting to decrease in growth population. This is because most STDs are sterilizers meaning that it stops effective functioning of the human reproductive organs. To women, they may experience cases of increased ectopic pregnancies where fertilized eggs grow outside the uterus instead of inside. Likewise, increased STDs will increase the rates at which newborns are infected thus causing certain things like deaths of the newborns and hence decrease to in the population growth. However , this may prevented from happening in the future by ensuring that certain preventive measures like the use of condoms is promoted in the future to carb against the spread of STDs to larger percentage of the population in the future. In addition, vaccinations on cases like HPV should be increased in the future to avoid cases of infertility which hinders population growth in country. Outcome The outcome of the project will devise a strategy through which individuals can react and prevent STDs through sexual contact. Creating awareness In my opinion, getting to learn more about the extent at which sexual contact is responsible for the spread of STDs is a step ahead in managing the problems caused by sexually transmitted diseases. I do believe that having knowledge on issues relating to sexual contact and sexually transmitted disease plays a huge role in helping to prevent the spread of the STDs related diseases within the population. This is because lack of awareness on different issues related to the topic leads to ignorance on such issues like behavior and substance abuse amongst those who are affected. Drug abuse and irresponsible sexual behaviors are some of the emerging issues affecting the society today. However, when individuals are educated on the negative of such vices and their relationships to the transmission of STDs, then a change of behavior can be witnessed within the population as individuals will be more concerned and try as much as possible to prevent themselves from contacting them. Highlighting future Impacts of STDs I also do believe that by highlighting the possible future scenarios on the extent to which sexual contact is responsible fort the spread of STDs, individuals are made aware on the need to curb the spread and protect themselves and the society at large by taking certain measures which aids in the reductions of STDs prevalence to their generation and future generations to come. In my opinion, knowing the consequences of the spread of STDs in the future makes individuals to start taking preventive measures at the present hence reducing or eliminating the risk of transfer of STDs in the future. Bibliography COON, D., MITTERER, J. O., TALBOT, S., & VANCHELLA, C. M. (2010). Introduction to psychology: gateways to mind and behavior. Belmont, Calif, Wadsworth Cengage Learning. GREENWOOD, D. (2012). Medical microbiology: a guide to microbial infections : pathogenesis, immunity, laboratory diagnosis and control. Edinburgh, Churchill Livingstone. SHOQUIST, J., & STAFFORD, D. (2004). The encyclopedia of sexually transmitted diseases. New York, Facts On File. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&A N=282920. PASSWATER, R. A. (2007). Live better, longer: the science behind the amazing health benefits of OPCs. Laguna Beach, Calif, Basic Health Publications. NOLTE, E., & MCKEE, M. (2008). Caring for people with chronic conditions: a health system perspective. Maidenhead, Open University Press. Read More