Related Experiment Videos
Verbal intercourse and sexual communication: impediments to STD prevention
1Medical Anthropology Program, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
Medical Anthropology Quarterly
|March 1, 1997
Summary
Fear of rejection, not sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), often drives risky sexual behavior. Prevention programs must address the lack of open communication and culturally accepted language for discussing sexual health.
Area of Science:
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Public Health
- Communication Studies
Background:
- Risky sexual behavior remains a significant public health concern.
- Effective prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is challenged by communication barriers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how individuals verbally negotiate sexual interactions concerning STDs.
- To identify the communicative and emotional challenges in discussing sexual health.
Main Methods:
- In-depth interviews were conducted with 124 adults diagnosed with genital herpes (ages 21-63).
- Analysis focused on verbal negotiation strategies and difficulties in sexual health discourse.
Main Results:
- Knowledge of STDs does not always translate into preventive actions.
- Fear of social rejection outweighs fear of contracting most STDs, excluding AIDS.
- Difficulties in sexual health discourse stem from politeness norms and self/other representation.
Conclusions:
- STD prevention programs often neglect the crucial emotional and communicative aspects of sexual health discussions.
- A lack of culturally sanctioned language hinders open communication about sexual health between partners.