Young Adults In Dark About STDs

[muchacho]

(CBS/AP) A new survey finds that young adults in the U.S. have a lot to learn about sexually transmitted diseases.

The American Social Health Association says 93 percent of those who were asked believe their current or most recent partner didn't have an STD. But about one-third of the people who participated in the online survey have never discussed STDs with their partners.

In addition, while 84 percent said they take the necessary precautions to protect themselves against STDs, many do not use protection on a regular basis.

The survey also found that more than half either were unsure whether they had been vaccinated or had not been vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B — the only STDs that can be prevented through immunization.

<snip>

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/04/06/health/main610482.shtml

[quispquake]

1. Not an editorial

Although an important piece of news, it's not an editorial...

[CHestonsucks]

2. young adults

are in the dark about most things by definition. The problem arises when information they need is being deliberately withheld from them by right-wing cranks that are determined to control their sexuality.

It's already been observed that teenagers exposed to those "abstinence-only" sexual education programs are MORE likely to engage in unsafe sexual practices when they become active. It stands to reason: deny them information about contraception, about disease transmission, and about they way their bodies and minds work, in short tell them to 'just say no' and the result is an accident waiting to happen.

*sigh*

[PfcHammer]

3. neil bush has the same problem

[supernova]

4. Boy the Abstinence Only education

sure is working good! :eyes:

[Muddleoftheroad]

5. It is a fraud to blame abstinence only

Kids are not being taught well in our schools. Many believe a condom will prevent all STDs. I volunteer with high school kids and this subject has come up before.