New Review Shows Only 50% of People with STIs Share Their Status with Partners
There’s a new literature review out that reveals only about 50% of people with an STI share their status with new partners. (McMahan & Olmstead, 2024).
FYI this is not its own study with participants, this is a review of existing literature about STI stigma and disclosure.
Most people believe that someone needs to share their status before sexual contact, but what the research shows is interesting.
One study (Myers, 2020) found that:
🍓59% disclose prior to receiving 🫦
🍓46% disclose prior to giving 🫦
🍓Just over 50% disclosed before 🐱 (59%) and back🚪(56%)
Another study found discrepancy in disclosure time:
🍓44% ALWAYS disclosed before
🍓56% disclosed “sometimes” before (25%) or “always after” (31%)
I want to reiterate that disclosure isn’t just something that people with an STI need to be doing. We all have an STI status, whether positive or negative. This is a conversation we ALL need to be having.
Many health classrooms taught students to avoid STIs altogether, which did them a disservice. Over 50% of people in the US will have an STI at some point in their lifetime (KFF, 2020). Preaching avoidance only increases stigma and silence.
Fear and stigma are driving reasons people forego disclosure, in addition to being barriers to testing and treatment. With STI rates rising across the US, we need comprehensive health education now more than ever.
It’s not just about reducing the number of STIs, it’s a matter of prioritizing our sexual health as self-care.
Want better health education? Follow me @sexelducation for more tips about STIs, dating, and more!