Safe Sex Not New Yorkers' Preference – Study Reports

Out of the 11% New Yorkers, involved with multiple partners, as many as 40% of them disclosed not using a condom the last time they had sex.

In an astounding poll report, by the health department of New York, out just two days back, it was found that people in the city seemed more callous on the fact that, safe sex is not just important for self health but also is the thumb rule to follow these days, with AIDS, HIVdefine and other deadly STDs on a rise, like never before.

The report also disclosed that more men in New York were likely to get involved with multiple partners, as compared to women in the city. The figures showed that for 6% women involved with multiple partners, the number of men was almost three times higher, around 17%.

5% of these men and women were said to be involved with two or more partners in the last one year, many of them married and committed still.

Many although consider the study group of 10,000 odd people contacted over telephones a very small group, not indicative of the total population at all, but still the results of the poll drew a warning from the Health Commissioner, Thomas Frieden.

The commissioner is asking people to pay attention to using protection and avoiding multiple partners in order to waive off unwanted pregnancies and STDs. He has also asked the residents to use the services provided by the 10 express Health Department clinics, which are easy to locate dialing 311.

"Tens of thousands of New Yorkers put themselves at risk by having unsafe sex," Frieden said.

The express health department clinics are also providing free condoms and emergency contraception under the plan B methodology of contraception, used mainly after unprotected sex.

Here are some astounding facts on sex and the city –
• Almost 33% women between the 18-44 years bracket denied using contraceptive measures while they last had sex.
• However, 83% of them were not planning a pregnancy and yet chose to go without contraception.
• Around 50% pregnancies in 2006 were unplanned.
• Rates of abortions are growing by the year in the city.
• A total of 60,000 cases (including 3,745 HIV cases) of sexually transmitted diseases were diagnosed in the city in 2006.

In no way, can the data obtained be ignored or considered in isolation. The casual attitude of New Yorkers towards protection is an indication enough, of the above mentioned facts. These are very well the results of turning a blind eye to safe sex.