Incidence and Morbidity of Unprotected Sexual Behavior

¶ … risky behavior, unprotected sex can lead to serious health consequences. Risky sexual behaviors include having sex frequently with strangers or multiple partners, particularly without the use of condoms. Similarly, avoiding birth control can be considered a risky sexual behavior. Physiological consequences of unprotected sex include the contraction of a sexually-transmitted infection, many of which can lead to fatal illnesses like HIV / AIDS or Hepatitis. Gonorrhea and other sexually transmitted infections present serious health consequences even when they are not life-threatening. In the United States, about 15 million people are infected every year with a sexually transmitted illness (SIU School of Medicine, 2010). Morbidity rates for sexually transmitted illnesses are high overall, and in fact, STIs are the most commonly reported of all communicable diseases in some states (Washington State Department of Health, 2014). Common sexually transmitted illnesses include chlamydia and herpes. Chlamydia morbidity rates are far higher for women than for men, and as with gonorrhea, incidence rates for the disease are higher for people in their 20s than any other age group (Washington State Department of Health, 2014).

The pathophysiology of chlamydia starts with the bacteria known as Chlamydia trachomatis, which is spread through oral as well as vaginal and anal sex (Healthwise, 2015). As the bacteria proliferate and inhabit the body, various symptoms including itching and discharge, or even pain may occur. Although some people remain symptom-free, painful urination, vaginal discharge, and other symptoms may emerge. Incubation period can range from a few days after exposure to a few weeks (Healthwise, 2015). The pathophysiology of gonorrhea is similar to that of Chlamydia in that both are caused by an initial bacterial infection. However, there are multiple types of bacteria that can cause gonorrhea, which creates symptoms such as inflammation and even pelvic inflammatory disease and endocervicitis (Healthwise, 2015). Painful urination and discharge, as well as more serious symptoms like fever, may also result from gonorrhea, especially when the condition is left untreated.

Pregnancy is not a sexually transmitted disease, but it is a major consequence of engaging in unprotected sex. A pregnancy can in some cases cause unforeseen health consequences, though. The psychological, financial, and social consequences of an unwanted pregnancy present added complications, and could lead to mental health issues. Unprotected sex with an infected person can, moreover, cause any offspring to also contract the disease such as with chlamydia (Healthwise, 2015). According to the SIU School of Medicine (2010), almost one million adolescents in the United States become pregnant each year. Incidence rates of unwanted pregnancies are therefore high, making unprotected or risky sexual behaviors a major public health issue.

In spite of a wide variety of public health awareness campaigns, educational material, and the availability of prophylactics for use during sex, incidence rates of unsafe or unprotected sex remain remarkably high in the United States. Reasons for high-risk sexual behavior may include factors like underestimating the actual risks and dangers involved in having unprotected sex, not feeling comfortable enough to talk about using protection with new partners, and not seeking medical care for symptoms that may emerge (Healthwise, 2015). Therefore, prevention strategies should be geared toward minimizing these problems.

Making educational material and public awareness campaigns more effective would be the most important prevention strategy, as it could lead to a shift in social norms. However, no amount of pamphlets is going to help a person put on a condom or avoid risk-taking if the social norms continue to condone risky sexual activity. Changing social norms requires a concerted effort to stigmatize dangerous sexual behavior and normalize safe sex. The goal should be for individuals to feel comfortable speaking openly with the people they are having sex with, to feel confident when using prophylactics, and to feel supported in their decisions regarding health care.

One of the most important prevention strategies is ensuring that healthcare services remain affordable and accessible to all populations. Condoms should be distributed free of charge, and their use should be marketed as a desirable behavior. Using celebrity endorsements is one strategy that might help young people to shift their views regarding risky sexual behavior. Sex education in schools and public health pamphlets alone are not enough to change the behavior of people prone to taking risks.