What is Sexual Health?
Sexual Health is one's physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being in relation to sexuality (CDC, 2014). In order for sexual health to be positive, one must approach their sexuality and sexual relationship(s) respectfully and accordingly. Also, you must practice safe sex, have regular health check-ups, and having healthy eating habits. Many people also believe exercising plays a key in sexual health. However, when the act of sexual intercourse happening, do you think about your sexual health?
STDs/STIs
What are STDs/STIs?
STDs/STIs are sexual transmitted diseases or infections. The term STI is used more because it steers away from the stigma of diseases.
Knowing and understanding sexually transmitted diseases or infections is very imperative. When engaging in protected and unprotected sex, one should understand condoms are not very effective due to its protection rate of 97%. What about the other 3%? That still is a big risk. With all of this, it is of importance to know who you are engaging in sexual relations with, that is knowing their status, using condoms, and knowing of other effective ways to protect against STDs/STIs.
Safe sex practices among young adults:
I reviewed a study that surveyed young adults about the "Intentions to Practice Safe Sex". The study focus on sexually activate and non-sexually activate students and what they believe about sex practices. In one section, it focused on past sexual risk behavior, such as subjects who always used condoms were at a lower risk of getting an STD/STi compared to people who sometimes used condoms. In the same way, the researchers look at young adults who have stable or casual relationships with two or partners and sometimes used condoms were at a higher risk (Hardmeman, Pierro, & Mannetti, 1997).
The study concluded to show that young adults have the intention to practice safe sex. Young adults attitude is to avoid casual sex and unprotected, and to use condoms with knowing the benefits of them. Also many past risky sexual behaviors have deterred many young adults from engaging in unprotected sex.
Although the study is relatively dated it gives good insight on how many young adults think today. The source is still liable and has good evidence to support its case.
Sources:
Hardeman, W., Pierro, A., & Mannetti, L. (1997). Determinants of intentions to practice safe sex among 16–25 year- olds. Journal Of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 7(5), 345-360.
