Free Condoms, Safe Sex through Aviva
Written By Anyssa S., 2 September, 2021
As more options for safe sex are curated along with the technological advancements of our current time, more and more college students are becoming confident in their ability to have unprotected sex without considering the associated risks.
To name a few, these risks include:
Contracting an STD
- Unplanned Pregnancy
Coming in contact with Covid-19
While this is a very small list of risks associated with unprotected sex, catching an STD or Covid-19 can pose an enormous threat to personal health, comfort and overall quality of life.
An unplanned pregnancy for college aged students may not be the end all be all. However, an unplanned pregnancy will require a major life adjustment and may not be an option for those who are paying their way through:
Student Loans and Fees
Rent
Learning Materials
Car Payments
Existing Medical Bills
Basic Necessities
Etc...
With these key factors at play, the Covid-19 pandemic has also made it more difficult for some students to get a more hands-on education (for fields which require it including chemistry, engineering, etc...), find places to work, or work in safer environments.
Many students take up part time or customer service jobs because they are flexible with their class schedules. Working in customer service involves crossing paths with multiple individuals on a daily basis, which only increases their risk of catching Covid-19.
As zoom classes are convenient for most with little time to travel to and from campus, the lack of an in person lecture can prove to be limiting for some students when studying online, which may also contribute to mental stress.
As the Delta variant of Covid-19 continues to rise, having unprotected or even protected sex with someone who may have come into contact with the virus, is a huge threat to immune health.
The lasting effects of catching Covid-19, if unvaccinated, can last longer than assumed and (in some cases) can permanently damage the respiratory or immune system.
The lasting effects of Covid-19 can affect:
- Heart functions - Chest pain or Shortness of breath
- Lung functions - Trouble breathing
- Brain functions - Inability to concentrate or brain fog, confusion, headaches etc...
While the topic of STD’s are a little more casually discussed as we move through the incoming years, STD’s aren’t usually the first thing that crosses the mind before engaging in unprotected sex.
The thought of an unwanted pregnancy may be the first thing that comes to mind before or after taking part in unprotected sex, yet the risk of contracting an STD is not considered as much as it should be.
The risks of contracting or living with an STD can have more of a prolonged impact on life, aside from Covid-19.
According to the “HIV/STD Strategy 2019-2022”, a research study conducted by the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, “Chlamydia and gonorrhea are the most commonly reported sexually transmitted bacterial infections in Long Beach-”.
The most common reported STD’s circulating through the Long Beach community are:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
While Aviva offers PrEP and PEP to its community to help combat the onset of HIV, there may be Long Beach students who may have Chlamydia and Gonorrhea and aren’t formally diagnosed.
The “HIV/STD Strategy 2019-2022” also reports, “when [Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are] left untreated, can result in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and lead to serious outcomes in women such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain.”
According to Eric Rodriguez and Tim Barclay’s article, “These U.S. Cities have the Highest STD Rates [May 2021]”, they have reported, “major California cities [seeing] an increase in STD rates. Los Angeles, San Diego, and Sacramento all rose over ten spots to rank 37th, 55th, and 51st, respectively.”
As a community, we want to give students the confidentiality and proper care they deserve, and limit the stress they face during their academic journey.
School has already proven to be difficult during the pandemic, the lives of our students do not have to be without health support.
Visit your local health care provider and ask about contraception and STD/I prevention and treatment.