National Condom Week, February 11-17, 2007 National Condom Day, February 14th ASHA Marks National Condom Week with Online Resources

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 02, 2007

Research Triangle Park, NC -- Each year in the U.S. there are approximately 19 million new cases of sexually transmitted infections (STI). 1 However, many individuals with STIs are unaware they've been infected, or that they may potentially infect partners. With this in mind, the American Social Health Association (ASHA) recognizes National Condom Week 2007 (February 11-17) and emphasizes the value of safer sex practices.

While anyone can contract STIs, about half of all new cases occur among youths ages 15-24 years." 2The American Social Health Association encourages abstinence from sexual intercourse as the most effective way to reduce the risk of all sexually transmitted infections," emphasizes Deborah Arrindell, Vice President for Health Policy. "But for young people who choose not to be abstinent, it is essential to understand the importance of using condoms with each episode of sexual intercourse and how to use them correctly."

Gary Richwald, MD, MPH, former Director and Chief Physician of the Los Angeles County STD Program and currently one of ASHA's medical advisors, says research clearly demonstrates that condoms are effective at reducing the risks of acquiring a number of STIs. "Condoms may not offer 100% protection, but it's clear that correct, consistent use of condoms is the best way for sexually active individuals to reduce the risks of contracting many STIs, including HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea." While less is know about how well condoms protect against infections that spread through skin to skin contact, like HPV and herpes, safer sex practices can reduce the risks of contracting these STIs, as well, and a study published in 2006 found that young women whose male partners used condoms regularly cut their risk of acquiring HPV by 70%.3

ASHA president and CEO Lynn B. Barclay says the best prevention tool of all is education: "We believe in honest, frank discussions about sexual health, and have developed an array of materials to help people make informed decisions." Barclay notes that one of the biggest reported hurdles to safer sex is negotiating condom use with partners, and says ASHA's Web site has a special page with tips on talking with partners.

For more on these resources
go to http://www.ashastd.org/condom/condom_introduction.cfm.

Read articles by Katherine Stone, M.D.

References

1,2 Weinstock H, et al. Sexually transmitted diseases among American youth: incidence and prevalence estimates, 2000. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health 2004; 36 ( 1) :6-10.

3 Winer R, et al. Condom use and the risk of genital human papillomavirus infection in young women. New England Journal of Medicine 2006; 354:2645-54.