[Students] Be Aware!

Joan Lawrence Joan_Lawrence at tamu-commerce.edu
Wed Oct 24 08:54:08 CDT 2007


 

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BE AWARE... 

There are some significant connections between alcohol use and sexual
decision making. Although most college students aged 18-24 have had sex
before entering college, it is during the college years that they are at the
greatest risk for sexual health issues. When alcohol (or another drug) is
added to a sexual situation, this risk drastically increases. Therefore,
it's helpful to look at the facts and realize that sexual health issues
affect all campuses.

As the following statistics show, many young people demonstrate
misperceptions about STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) and STD (Sexually
Transmitted Disease) risk factors and testing. Comprehensive educational
approaches can help young people protect themselves.

*	"Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the most common and costly bacterial
STD in the U.S. with about three million new cases each year, and health
care costs for the infection and its consequences exceed an estimated $3.5
billion per year." 

*	Chlamydia can result in serious health risks, especially for women.
Consequences can include Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which, without
treatment, can cause infertility. 

Despite this major health risk, 67% of surveyed adolescents (ages 13-24
years) believe that testing for Chlamydia is routine. However, routine STD
and STI screening is generally not performed, unless requested by the
patient.12 

Young adults aged 18 to 24 years old are at higher risk for acquiring STD's
for many reasons including the following.15

*	They are more likely to have multiple sexual partners. 
*	They may select partners at higher risk. 
*	They are frequently in situations involving compromised sexual
decision-making. 

Recent estimates suggest that while representing 25% of the ever sexually
active population, 15- to 24-year olds acquire nearly one-half of all new
STDs.13

Among women in 2004, as in previous years, 15 to 24 year olds had the
highest rates of gonorrhea compared to women in all other age categories.
Among men, 20 to 24 year olds had the highest rate of gonorrhea.13

HIV/AIDS Data

There are an estimated 38.6 million people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide, a
greater number than ever before.14

Young people ages 15-24 account for approximately half of new adult HIV
infections and 28% of the global total of adults living with HIV/AIDS.14

HIV is the leading cause of death worldwide, among those ages 15-59.14

2.8 million people died of AIDS in 2005. Of these, over half a million were
children.14

HIV/AIDS is a serious life threatening illness that can be avoided by
abstinence, monogamy (sex with only one partner who has been tested), and
the use of a condom or other protective barriers. Making the right choices
in sexual situations will significantly decrease the chance of contracting
HIV/AIDS.

This information is brought to you by Campus Wellness

 

Facts are from: http://www.bacchusnetwork.org/alcohol-decision-making.asp
<http://www.bacchusnetwork.org/alcohol-decision-making.asp>  

 

Shelly Matikiewicz

Associate Director-Campus Recreation

Morris Recreation Center

Texas A&M University- Commerce

 

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