The number of STIs has increased sharply: it’s time to move from concern to action

Anti-porn moralism erases from social discourse an inescapable reality: the progressive rise of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the rise of such infections among the youngest. The situation with STIs represents an important public health problem in Spain. If the incidence was already rising before the emergence of Covid-19, lockdown meant the situation would worsen due to lack of access to detection, care and treatment.

According to a recent report by the Scientific Committee on COVID and Emerging Pathogens of the Illustrious Official College of Doctors of Madrid (Icomem), the majority of those infected are men, and the incidence rate is particularly high among the population aged 20 to 24 years. Official epidemiological surveillance also indicates that sexual transmission is responsible for the largest number of new infections over the past two decades. This trend shows that even without neglecting awareness of other forms of transmission, it is possible focus on preventive actions through sexuality and health education..

It seems difficult to understand how, at a moment in history when we have extensive information about STIs and how they spread, as well as greater resources for protection, high rates of infection are being reported. According to various studies, high rates of STIs appear to be the result of poor risk awareness, limited access to sexuality education and health care, and changes in sexual behavior (Ritchwood et al., 2015; Johnson, 2020; Grubb, 2020 ; Spindola et al., 2020).

“High rates of STIs appear to be the result of poor risk awareness, limited access to sexuality education and health care, and changes in sexual behavior.”

Sexuality education is frankly lacking within our borders and does not always reach at-risk populations. “Integral,” “scientific,” and “ongoing” are adjectives missing from many current youth sexuality education efforts. They say that sex education is compulsory, but one only has to look at the education system and how autonomous communities are organized in this regard to realize that this is anecdotal. Moreover, if the situation was not already deplorable, it often becomes the target of invasion or ideological intervention, as in the case of the so-called “parent pin”. The fear of speaking openly about sexual health or organizing workshops with professionals and being accused of “corrupting minors” or “inciting them to engage in erotic relationships” is an effective control mechanism.. No educational center wants to conflict with families, or rather, with individual families.

From a sexuality and health education perspective, it is not just about providing information about STIs to young people, promoting responsibility, autonomy, sexual confidence and correct condom use, and warning that missing asymptomatic cases potentially increases the spread of infection. or how an STI diagnosis can affect, especially in women, fertility and pregnancy. During such events, it is also useful to raise the importance of undergoing periodic medical examinations, considering it a health habit and, of course, a stigma issue.

Why should a person who becomes infected through sexual contact, for example, with the human papillomavirus (HPV), be judged more than someone who becomes infected through physical contact, caressing, kissing or sneezing, for example, with a virus? Epstein-Barr disease (EBV), which can cause infectious mononucleosis? Why is genital herpes still considered worse for humans than oral herpes, even if the sores are visible? Having an STI should have the same stigma as having a cold:.

Assumptions about a person’s lifestyle or sexual behavior, as well as shame about infection, fuel and exacerbate the trend of rising rates of STIs among young people. Health care providers should strive for an open and non-stigmatizing approach to reach the youngest. Understanding must prevail, not accusations or paternalism.

Additionally, it is important to create safe, inclusive and confidential educational and counseling spaces, especially when it comes to adolescents. Municipal family planning centers are practically disappearing and many adolescents are still accompanied by their parents to primary care appointments. Sex education interventions in educational centers in most cases do not require private counseling services at the center itself. These situations show how difficult it is currently to ensure not only privacy, but also accessible space and an environment of trust.

“Currently, it is difficult to ensure not only privacy, but also accessible space and an environment of trust.”

Social stigma from one’s own couples, families or strangers is an aspect that should not be underestimated as it can negatively impact the self-esteem and emotional stability of the infected person. No one would harshly label a person who has just been diagnosed with cancer, and on the other hand, it seems that many people are entitled to judge the sexual and health habits of a person who has an STI, whether or not it is curable whether it is chronic or. Concerns about STIs should dispel the idea that they function socially as a scarlet letter.

There is no need to remember that we live in a time when casual sex has become popular, sexuality is present in cultural content, and pornography is just a click away. Men and women are also less reserved when it comes to requesting erotic encounters on dating apps, as well as in the sections of many newspapers and publications. Online Today they have very explicit articles about sex. This is all wrong.

As long as our erotic practices are consensual, conscientious, and desirable, provide medical care, and the person or people involved are not at risk, then you are welcome. Neither promiscuity, serial monogamy, nor casual sex are dirty. Shaming people for having control over their sex lives is a dirty thing., especially when their erotic behavior or relationship ethics differ from what is morally considered “good” and “appropriate.” Humiliating people or judging their sexual decisions influences those people’s actions to prevent STIs, seek help, and obtain health care. In this context, it would not hurt to renew campaigns such as “Wear it, Wear it” and increase investment in public health resources, but also free people from misinformation, shame and stigma.