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Sex and STIs

Sex in India

In India the high rate of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections is an indicator of the lack of education about sex. This stems from the fact that it is taboo in Indian society to talk about sex or physical relationships but also from the lack of sex education in schools. Many leave school and start having sexual partners without the most basic information about sex, contraception, Sexually Transmitted Infections and so on.

Young people in India however are in need of sex education more than most countries because of the young age at marriage and therefore the young age of first sex and pregnancy. However within the government and society there are conflicting opinions on the need for sex education, many believing it promotes promiscuity.

Read more in the news:

Sex education: Why India should go all the way by Insia Amir (Times of India 26 April 2009)

India in denial over sex education by Anindita Segupta (The Guardian 16 August 2009)

 

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Although at Wake Up Pune we focus mostly on HIV, we would like to stress the fact that there are many other infections that can be passed on through sexual contact. Moreover, having a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) has been found to increase the chances of transmitting HIV.

There is a multitude of different STIs, the World Health Organisation estimates that there are more than 30 different sexually transmissible bacteria, viruses and parasites.

There are two ways STIs can be transmitted. Some such as HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea are transmitted from the infected urethra or vaginal secretions of an infected person when in contact with the mucosal surface (male urethra, vagina, cervix and so on) of a non- infected person.

Other STIs such as genital herpes, syphilis or human papillomavirus (HPV) are generally transmitted through any contact with infected skin or mucosal surface.

Several STIs, in particular HIV and syphilis, can also be transmitted to the child during pregnancy or childbirth, and through the transfer of blood products or tissue.

Up until now condoms have been considered the best way to prevent STIs including HIV but there is no 100% garantee for this. However the risk of getting HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases can be greatly reduced if a condom is used properly every time (link to proper condom use).  In addition, we strongly suggest regular health checks for STIs, in particular if you have multiple partners.

STIs can have severe irreversible health consequence. STIs can also cause infertility in both men and women. Some STIs do not necessarily manifest any symptoms but this does not mean they cannot lead to serious complications.

 

For more information visit these websites:

 

On Sexually Transmitted Infections

http://www.avert.org/std.htm

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sexually-transmitted-infections/Pages/Introduction.aspx

http://www.who.int/topics/sexually_transmitted_infections/en/

 

On HIV/AIDS and STDs

http://www.cdc.gov/std/hiv/default.htm

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