5 – BEHAVIORAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH STD RISK

This chapter discusses the behavioral risk factors and markers, influences on both psychological and behavioral risks, and the psychological responses to acquisition. Approaches to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have also been discussed. Risk factors are directly associated with acquiring the infection. Risk markers are the variables associated with acquiring the infection but do not directly cause the infection. Biological, behavioral, and sociocultural risk factors/markers interact with each other and lead to infection. The prevention and treatment of STDs is a complex behavioral and psychological phenomenon. All the aspects of STD prevention have a behavioral component, such as the interplay between the behavioral factors and the biologic outcome is the association of an early initiation of intercourse with the biological risk. The primary prevention programs focus on reducing the number of individuals who acquire an STD while the secondary prevention programs focus on the management of the current infections and the prevention of partner and neonate transmission.