In people who are sexually active, how does the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) compared to condom use affect the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and risk compensation?
Item
- Title
- In people who are sexually active, how does the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) compared to condom use affect the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and risk compensation?
- Author(s)
- Musco, A
- Abstract
- Background: HIV/AIDS has been an issue for quite some time. Many researchers have been looking for a solution to the problem of HIV/AIDS, and their studies have borne some fruits. Though no specific drug had been identified to treat HIV, PrEP has been identified as a prevention against HIV. With its widespread use, there have been questions as to its influence on other STDs. Studies among the LGBTQ community show that PrEP increases risk of STIs, but not much has been explored in the case of the non-LGBTQ community. Objectives: There were three primary objectives of the study. First, the study sought to explore whether non-LGBTQs who take PrEP are also at risk of increased STD prevalence. Further, it sought to explain why non-LGBTQ are (not) at risk. Finally, the study aimed to identify measures that both the LGBTQ and the non-LGBTQ communities can put in place to reduce the risk of contracting STI. Design: The study took a structured critical literature review approach. Methods: Relevant credible sources dated between January 2012 and October 2019 were reviewed. Databases used for the search included PubMed, EBSCOHOST, Cochrane Library, and Science Direct. Papers were only considered relevant if they contained at least two of the key words, focused on the general population, and were peer-reviewed. The Boolean operator, AND, was used with two keywords to ensure relevance. Findings from each of the sources were recorded and analyzed for consistency. Results: All people, regardless of their sexual orientation, are at risk of contracting STIs. Fluids, from the vagina, anus, penis, and mouth, exchanged during sex, spread STIs. Preventive measures for STIs include consistent use of condom, being in a mutually monogamous relationship, and regular screening for STIs. Discussion: Human sexual behaviors do not necessarily vary with sexual orientation. Just like the LGBTQ, non-LGBTQ may also engage in unprotected sex. PrEP use gives everyone a feeling of safety that encourages them to engage in condomless sex. That increases their risk of contracting STIs. Of the three suggested solutions to the risk, consistent condom use seems to be the most suitable way of preventing STIs. Conclusion: Everyone is at risk of contracting STIs, and therefore, both LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ should take caution to avoid disease.
- presented at
- European School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2020
- Date Submitted
- 28.10.2020 18:08:19
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 16679
- Inst-Identifier
- 1229
- Keywords
- Perceived risk of STI, PrEP associated STI, STI Prevention, STI Risk Behaviours
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Musco, A, “In people who are sexually active, how does the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) compared to condom use affect the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and risk compensation?”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 2, 2025, https://www.osteopathic-research.com/s/orw/item/176