One would expect STDs to be more prevalent among the youth and individuals that are overly sexually active. However, statistics indicate otherwise. Data collected between 2014 and 2017 indicated that there was a 23% increase in STD cases in patients who were over 60 years old. This is a significantly high figure considering that the average percentage increase for the population aged over 13 years stood at 11%.
One of the factors that contribute to the high transmission of STDs among the elderly is that baby boomers still feel liberated (Cohen, 2018). The population that is currently aged over 65 years old grew at a time when America had just begun feeling liberated after the Second World War. During this time, the birth control pill had just been introduced into the market and hence using other means of protection such as condoms during sex became unpopular.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Secondly, providers focus sex education on the youth and those thought to be sexually active. The elderly have little knowledge concerning STIs. Furthermore, during their times as youths, baby boomers were not as properly educated on matters sex and infections as the current generation is. Pregler, a medical expert, states that providers must begin having the courage to ask the elderly whether they are sexually active or not (Pareto, 2018) . The providers could then go on to recommend a series of tests and screenings to the elderly that are sexually active.
As infection rates related to herpes, gonorrhea, and syphilis among other STDs rise in among the elderly, healthcare providers are tasked with liberating the old from this vice. It is interesting to note that the statistics presented do not include HIV, one of the most prevalent STDs. The solutions provided above should work to not only reduce the transmission rates among the elderly but the knowledge acquired by baby boomers on STIs could be transmitted to younger generations.
References
Cohen, J. (2018). STDs on the rise among seniors. Retrieved 4 August 2019, from https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/population-health/stds-on-the-rise-among-seniors.html
Pareto, A. (2018). Patients over 60? Screen for STIs. Retrieved 4 August 2019, from https://www.athenahealth.com/insight/over-60-stis-may-not-be-done-you
