Why Wear Condoms, Research Paper Example

Introduction

While abstinence remains the sole guarantee of not contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or sexually transmitted infection (STIs), the best precautionary measure for sexually-active individuals is the use of the condom (AdvocatesForYouth.org, 2010).

Statistics Regarding Transmission of Disease

Each day more than 25,000 young adults (ages 12 to 19) contract a sexually transmitted disease (STDs) (Rubin, 2005). Furthermore, there are more than 2,000 unintended pregnancies per day amongst young adults ages 12 to 19 (Ibid). There is an average of 55 new cases of HIV/AIDS a day in this age group as well.

Prevention of HIV/AIDS

A recent study conducted by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) has shown a huge decline in the cases of HIV/AIDS diagnoses where condoms are readily available and frequently used (AdvocatesForYouth.org, 2010).

Statistics regarding women and transmission of disease

As evidenced by the research of Rubin (2005), one fourth of the victims of AIDS/HIV are women. There are new difficulties in the prevention of HIV/AIDS transmission in woman, most notably the lining of the vagina and its large surface area which is exposed to semen. Another reason for increased risk to females is the fact that semen itself harbors a higher level of HIV than the secretions of vaginal fluids. Additionally, more semen is exchanged during intercourse than vaginal fluid. The last biological reason for female susceptibility is the presence of untreated sexually transmitted infections which make the environment more hospitable to HIV.

Unwanted Pregnancies

Condoms are also effective in preventing pregnancies. In contrast, women who use birth control during the first year of frequent use have a 14% chance of becoming pregnant (SoYouWanna.com, 2010). The supplementation of condom use in conjunction with birth control pills almost completely nullifies this chance.

Conclusion – Benefits of Condom Use

• Condoms are readily available at any store without a prescription.
• Condoms are used for each sexual act, as opposed to the continuous usage required by birth control pills.
• Condoms enhance trust between sexual partners.
• Condom usage has no adverse side effects, unlike birth control pills.
• Condoms are the best method of prevention of STD/STI transmission in sexually active individuals.
• Proper use has high reliability.
• There are many sizes, shapes, colors, and textures available as condoms.

References

Rubin, Emanuel. Pathology – Clinicopathologic Foundations of Medicine. (2005).

Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2005

McPhee, Stephen J. and Maxine A Papadakis. 2008 Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment. New York: McGraw Hill Companies Inc.: 543- 634

“Women & HIV/AIDS”. (2009). Retrieved on October 22, 2010 from Womenshealth.gov:  http://www.womenshealth.gov/hiv/programs/

Somlai A, Kelly JA, Hackl KL, Otto-Salaj LL. “Improving HIV/AIDS Prevention Interventions through Program Evaluation at the Community”. Retrieved on October 22, 2010 from NLM.NIH.gov: http://gateway.nlm.nih.gov/MeetingAbstracts/ma?f=102231935.html

“So You Wanna Know the Benefits and Drawbacks of Using Condoms for Birth Control?”.  (2010). Retrieved on October 24, 2010 from SoYouWanna.com: http://www.soyouwanna.com/soyouwanna-benefits-drawbacks-using-condoms-birth-control-1366.html