Consequences of unsafe sex

People, especially youth, are caught unaware of consequences when they get infected by some of the damaging Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). Unawareness is the prime cause of spread of STDs.Second most important reason is the shyness of people in developing nations particularly South Asian countries.Indian youth usually indulge in unprotected sex without caring for the diseases as shown in a survey report conducted recently that nearly 72% people in the age bracket of 15-35 in India indulge with new partners in unprotected sex. Reason for this was attributed by 40 percent of responds to unavailability of contraceptives and India topped the list of countries with highest rate of unprotected sex.

STDs are fatal and even if cure exists for these it's very expensive. If message is spread well in time about the dangers of unsafe sex, it is sure that nobody would risk his life. If young generation is informed the consequences of unprotected sex, made to realize the trauma of diseased condition and feelings of detachment after catching infections from a person at least 90 percent of them will not opt for sex without taking proper care. This is hundred per cent true for poor and developing countries if not in totality for developed countries.Once a person is infected by a sex disease, he or she has to bear with following disorders.

1. Skin problems: skin allergies, dermatitis, eczema etc.

2. Nervous disorders: Nausea, weakening of memory, loss of concentration etc.

3. Hair problems: Hair loss, baldness, wrinkles etc.

4. Other problems: Squinting in children, skin diseases and several hormone related problems

5. Death

One can understand the reasons ( illiteracy, conservative nature of society) if people in countries like India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and some African countries fall prey and get infected in large numbers from sexually transmitted diseases but statistics given below surprise many when it is observed that a huge population in advanced countries like USA also suffers from these dreaded diseases.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases: US STATISTICS

Number of new syphilis cases: 33,401 (2004)

New syphilis cases per 100,000 population: 11.5 (2004)

Number of new chlamydia cases: 929,462 (2004)

New chlamydia cases per 100,000 population: 319.6 (2004)

Number of new gonorrhea cases: 330,132 (2004)

New gonorrhea cases per 100,000 population:113.5 (2004)

Source: Health United States: 2006

When this is the situation in the developed countries, one can understand the plight of people in a poor or developing country. Numbers of literate people are less than the illiterate in poor developing countries and means of entertainment are meager. People rely mostly on sex for entertainment. In a study conducted by the MAC AIDS Fund, many Indians cite lack of access to information on HIV/AIDS as the main reason for spread. The Study also showed that 65 percent of Indians report stigma and shame to be major contributing factors and barriers to overcoming the epidemic.Should not they need to be educated about the dangers of unprotected sex by including sex education in primary or secondary schools, or through multi-media or visual aids. Mass communication campaigns need to be launched among sex workers, drug addict youngsters and vulnerable sections such as truck drivers and migrant laborers. It may show positive results in terms of an increasing awareness.

Year 2007:

• Globally 2.5 million new HIV infections are estimated, an average of > 6,800 new infections each day

• 2.1 million people died of AIDS globally

• An estimated 1.7 million new HIV infections in sub- Sahara Africa

Source: Report released by the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS and the World Health Organization.

2.5 million people living with HIV in India, global figures stand at 33.2 million

Unnatural sex practices like homosexuality is prevalent among rural and urban youths and eunuchs and these groups are high risk groups as far as AIDS and STD's are concerned.

A dissemination workshop on HIV and AIDS care and prevention program for the rural and tribal youth identified the fact that

• 1.3 lakh of the 6.5 lakh such people in Rajasthan identified s a high-risk group

• Social stigma attached to unnatural sexual practices had made homosexuals and eunuchs “hidden and difficult to access”. Since their spouses and sexual partners are vulnerable to HIV infection, an extra attention to them is a public health necessity. Sex education, thus becomes very important at least at primary level.

In brief, sex education refers to classroom lessons about sex in primary and secondary schools. Sex education may be considered by many as the responsibility of the parents to educate their children about the consequences of under age or unsafe sex but certain inhibitions in conservative societies between parent and child may become an obstacle in imparting sex education to children by the parents.