Risky Sexual Behavior
Risky Sexual Behavior is a behavior that increases one’s risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections and experiencing unintended pregnancies. They include having sex at an early age, having multiple sexual partners, having sex while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and unprotected sexual behaviors (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010). These behaviors are causing growing health concerns for many different populations. Co-morbidity with sexually transmitted diseases on reservations and pubelos is a growing concern (Greabell, Cordes, & Klein, 2005). Sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, are in need of discussion and further education for these populations. One avenue for obtaining more accurate information about the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in AI/AN communities is to increase the numbers of individuals who get tested for HIV (Sondag & Strike, 2011). However, cultural differences among topics that are coined as conservative or private can be marked as barriers when implementing education or community interventions. In a study done by Sondag and Strike, barriers identified by individuals in this study included: limited hours of availability and inconvenient locations of testing sites; fear that “everyone is going to know” if one gets tested; not wanting to know one’s HIV status; shame and stigma associated with being HIV positive; and the belief among young people that they are invulnerable to HIV/AIDS (Sondag & Strike, 2011). Many of these populations are small as well, which may limit resources. In these small communities, the primary health care for sexual heath not only difficult, but sometimes seemingly impossible. The tremendous need for sexual health is complicated by reduced access and limited resources, especially for treatment of illnesses that may be stigmatizing or embarrassing (Leston, Jessen, Simons, 2011).
Alcohol Use
Alcohol use and risky sexual behavior may put individuals at greater risk at contracting and STI. A number of research studies have shown that individuals who are under the influence of alcohol or other drugs are more likely to put themselves at risk for HIV infection (Gilley & Co-Cke, 2005). Behaviors that lead to unprotected sex are common exposure factors. Native Americans are at a high risk of contracting HIV because of behaviors such as alcohol and substance abuse in combination with biological, economic, and social factors (Dennis, 2009). Social and behavioral issues of alcohol and drug use and discomfort surrounding the subject of sexual health within the community were noted to be contributors to unsafe sexual behaviors (Leston, Jessen, Simons, 2011).
NA HIV/AIDS 