Most people in America think they know the facts about
sexually transmitted diseases and the importance of
practicing safe sex, but many have no idea.
A new survey shows many Americans are involved in risky
sexual behavior, and seemingly simple things such as
proper use of condoms and the avoidance of alcohol and
drugs in potentially dangerous situations are to blame.
Millions of Americans are living with STDs - and some
don't even know it. Nineteen million new cases of STDs
are reported every year, and one in five Americans has
genital herpes, according to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, which was cited in the study.
At least one million Americans are living with AIDS.
The scarier part, according to the study, is that many
Americans don't know they are infected with the
diseases, so the actual numbers likely are significantly
higher.
The survey included questions about participants' sexual
histories and practices, how knowledgeable they thought
they were about STDs and demographic information such
as gender, age and ethnic background.
The results include:
- 39 percent of respondents said they always ask whether
a new partner is infected with HIV or other STDs. About
one-third said they never ask about the status of
prospective partners' sexual health.
- 44 percent of African Americans said they talk to their
partners about STDs, compared to 38 percent of whites
and 40 percent of Hispanics.
- At least half of respondents said they worry about
contracting herpes from oral sex, but not all are
exactly sure how the disease is spread.
Lack of communication between partners plus improper use
of condoms is a dangerous combination that is partly
responsible for the spread of STDs, said a physician's
assistant with Planned Parenthood.
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