Introduction Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) now referred to as sexual transmitted infections (STI) because some people can be infected and infecting others but never show signs of the disease. Of the estimated 12 million new cases of STD/STIs, women are diagnosed with two-thirds of those cases each year in America. Contrary to popular belief, oftentimes, women are exposed to STD/STIs after just one contact with an infected partner. STD/STIs are of particular anguish among women because of the severe and life-threatening difficulties during pregnancy (Ford & Shimers – Bowers, 2009). STIs have become a significant public health problem, especially among minorities.
Beyond having increased costs STIs also have a huge social impact on society. Out of the 19 million new STI cases estimated by CDC every year, adolescents ages 15-24 account for nearly half of those cases (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2011). With a large portion of STI cases affecting adolescents the nation is seeing a rise in infertility among young women. The CDC reports an estimate of 24,000 cases a year of infertility caused by the prolonged exposure to an untreated STI (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2011). This alarming rise in infertility truly magnifies the severity of the stigma society has placed on those who have STIs.
The Center for Disease Control in the United States has estimated that about 40.000 people become infected every year and most of these are young persons under the age of 25. The epidemic of HIV is severely impacting the communities of color, particularly young men and women. Roughly about sixty percent of new infections continue to be among men having a sexual intercourse with another man. The National HIV Prevention Committee suggests that there has been resurgence in unsafe behaviors among some communities of gay men. With all the research and evidence available from various government and non-profit organizations dealing with HIV and AIDS prevention far too many Americans believe that the epidemic is over in the United States.
Survivors Emerging. Retrieved November 18, 2004 from the World Wide Web: http://people.morehead-st.edu/students/ar/aeruck01/culturalrapemyths.html rape Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Retrieved November 19, 2004 from Encyclopedia Britannica Premium Service: http://www.britannica.com/ebc/article?tocld=9376486 Rennison, Callie Marie. (2002). Rape and sexual assault: reporting to police and medical attention, 1992-2000 (United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics No.
Impairment of Quality of Life in Symptomatic Reproductive Tract Infection and Sexually Transmitted Infection. Journal of Reproduction & Infertility, 15(2), 87-93. Retrieved from: http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.library.gcu.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=96037879&site=ehost-live&scope=site
This disorder is a lifelong infliction that affects more men than women. An approximate six percent of men and one percent of women in the United States population are considered “sociopaths” or “psychopaths” (Wood). In order to be diagnosed with this disorder, the individual must be at least eighteen years old, but the antisocial behaviors must have occurred in the individual by age fifteen. According to Dr. Luchiano Picchio, an individual diagnosed with this disorder is marked by an “inability to social norms involving many aspects of the patient's life” (Picchio). As listed within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual version Four (DSM-IV) (2000), the diagnostic criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder are: (1) failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest; (2) deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure; (3) impulsivity or failure to plan ahead; (4) irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults; (5) reckless disregard for safety of self or others; (6) consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations; and (7) lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2000, p. 701).
Syphilis. Bethesda, MD. Retrieved April, 2004, from: http: //www.niaid.nib.gov Roberts, Richard B. (1999). Sexually transmitted diseases.
60% of women and 40% of men have no symptoms. This is perhaps the scariest part of the disease. Equally scary is enormous infection rate of this disease. Three million American women and men become infected with chlamydia every year. Chlamydia is: four times as common as gonorrhea, more than 30 times as common as syphilis, most common among women and men under 25.
Retrieved from http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/storage/advfy/documents/fssexcur.pdf Weinstock, H, Berman, S & Cates Jr, W (January/February 2004). Sexually Transmitted Disease among American Youth: Incidence and Prevalence Estimates, 2000. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 36(1). Retrieved from http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/journals/3600604.html
Sexually Transmitted Diseases. California: Greenhaven Press, Inc. 1999. Jackson, James K. AIDS, STDs, and Other Communicable Diseases. Connecticut: Dushkin Publications Group. 1992.