Breaking Down STD Risk Factors

There are many factors that contribute to your chances of getting an STD, making it difficult to determine risk. However, having a basic understanding of key risk factors and trends can help you prevent STDs.

STDs are common in the United States, with about one in five people having an STD. A person’s risk depends on factors such as where they live, what they do and who they are.

In terms of where you live, certain parts of the United States present a higher STD risk than others. More specifically, Minnesota, Louisiana and South Dakota are the states with the highest STD risk. Utah, Idaho and New Jersey are the states with the lowest risk.

Certain behaviors also impact risk. For example, engaging in unprotected sex with multiple partners increases your risk of contracting an STD. Using inadequate protection also increases your risk.

Your personal background is another part of the puzzle. Having a lower income leads to higher risk; a study suggests that individuals with an income below the poverty level are more likely to test positive for an STI. Additionally, education may impact your risk, as studies have suggested that graduating from college might reduce your risk of an STI.

With these factors in mind, you can take steps to protect yourself. Testing yourself and your partner for STIs before engaging in sexual relations is an effective prevention method. Using adequate protection, such as internal and external condoms, is also useful, reducing risk by 98%. Additionally, getting vaccines is a way to stay proactive, and taking post-exposure medications when necessary can also combat STDs.

Knowing the risk factors for STDs is useful in making safe choices and engaging in safe sex. Luckily, there are many tools out there to help you prevent STDs, and utilizing these is important if you are sexually active.