Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Causes and Treatment

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Table of Contents

Human sexuality
Examples of sexually transmitted diseases
Methodology
Results
Discussion of the results
Conclusion
References

Human sexuality

Rathus et al (2005) defines human sexuality in terms of experiences and expressions that people demonstrate as sexual beings. Rathus et al (2005) agrees with Udry et al (1986) on human sexuality as capability to develop awareness of sexual identity namely to demonstrate masculine or feminine character consciously or unconsciously. Human sexuality involves capability of a human being to respond appropriately to sexual experiences and responses. Other authors for instance Zucker (1999) claim human sexuality as a process through which a human being develops attraction to a member of opposite sex hence capacity to demonstrate heterosexuality behavior or member of same sex through demonstration of homosexuality behavior or capability to develop attraction to feminine or masculine members hence ability to exhibit bisexuality. Rathus et al (2005) further claims human sexuality includes capacity of a human to demonstrate no attraction to any members hence exhibition of asexuality.

Human sexuality plays a leading role is shaping human biological and socio-cultural anthropology. Rathus et al (2005) advanced an argument that human sexuality is constructed around sexual pleasure. Similar arguments have been advanced by other authors for instance Taifel and Turner (1986) that sexual pleasure forms basis for human sexuality hence reproduction functionality of human sexuality is a one of outcomes of sexual pleasure. Human sexuality is a function of biological foundation, social processes and cultural influencing factors. Thus, sexual nature depends on human sexual culture and social context that influences on human beliefs, values and attitudes towards sex. Udry et al (1986) claims that human sexuality has diversity of dimensions that includes biological and bio-cultural elements that provide different orientation of human social and cultural with regard to sexuality. Kinsey et al (1948) argues that biological foundation plays a leading role in shaping human sexuality subject to influence of feedback effect that impacts on human sex criteria for selection of partners based on human bio-social characteristics.

Taifel and Turner (1986) determined that social pressures influence on human sexual lifestyles an argument that agrees with Rathus et al (2005) who argues that human sexuality is dependent on personal identity. However, Snow and Oliver (1995) highlights that social movement creates environment for social evolution that defines transformation of personal identity and sexuality. Rathus et al (2005) however deviates from Snow and Oliver perspectives on social construct of human sexuality as driving force behind human sexual behavior but advances an argument that reproduction plays a vital role in shaping human sexuality and rationale reproduction is implemented through sexual intercourse. Weeks (1981) claim that human sexuality as a biological process is derivative of organic processes that are linked to individual discourse via flirting and creation of sexual attention. This argument conforms to Rathus et al (2005) views that sexuality is constructed on stimulation of biological processes through hormonal communication which set pace for sexual behavior. Taifel and Snow however disagree on rationale of stimulation of biological processes by claiming that cultural factors influence capacity for sexual arousal subject to sexual taboos associated with culture.

Human sexuality based on Rathus et al (2005) is associated with advantages of relieving stress of individuals, augmenting immune response through increased secretion of immunoglobulin A; capabilities for decreased opportunities for heart diseases and capacity for an individual to achieve sound sleep post sexual intercourse that is associated with relaxative effect of sexual activity.

Access to information on human sexuality through different media for instance internet has contributed into increased sexual activities and increased risks of contraction of sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Rathus et al (2005) argues that STD is a disease that is communicated through sexual contact with infected patient, oral sex or anal sex. STD can be communicated through pathogen-contaminated needles and breast feeding for instance Human Immuno-virus (HIV) that causes AIDS, Hepatitis A or Hepatitis B. infections arising from STD’s are cause by varieties of pathogens including viruses, fungi, bacteria or protozoa. STD’s that are cause by bacterium include Chancroid that is initiated by Haemophilus Ducreyi; Donovanosis that is initiated by Granuloma Inguinale or Calymmatobacterium; Gonorrhea that is initiated by Neisseria Gonorrhoeae and Syphilis that is initiated by Treponema Pallidum. STD’s that are initiated and propagated by viral genome include AIDS that is initiated by HIV, Cytomegalovirus infection, Herpes and warts that are initiated by Human PapillomaVirus (HPV). Emergence of marketing paradigms for instance web 2.0 and social networking have resulted into increased pre-marital sex, homosexualism and capabilities of spouses to have multiple partners that have affected human sexuality foundations like beliefs, attitudes and values of sex. It has created variation in morals and social values on sexuality and contributed towards convergence of beliefs, values and attitudes on human sexuality.

Examples of sexually transmitted diseases

Chancroid

Rapini et al (2007) argues that Chancroid is a bacterial infection that is transmited by a streptobacillus termed as Haemophilus ducreyi. Haemophilus ducreyi tests negative with gram stain. It is prevalent with people that have multiple partners. It is diagnosed through presence of painful sores on genitalia and chemically through gram stain.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is transmitted by a bacterium termed as Chlamydia Trachomatis and is communicated through sexual contact. The risks groups include sexually active persons for instance 18-24 age group who are exposed to threats of multiple partners. Diagnosis is conducted through monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Clinical signs of Chlamydia include urethritis, (Budai, 2007), rectal diseases (Datta et al, 1999) and bleeding, trachoma and infertility (Stamm, 1999), epididymitis in men and cervicitis and pelvic inflammatory disease in women as well as ectopic pregnancies (Datta et al, 1999; Stamm, 1999).

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is cased by diplococci gram negative bacteria known as Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Growth of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae occurs in chocolate cultures that have sufficient carbon dioxide due to facultative oxidative state of the bacterium. Isolation is carried out through Thayer Martin Agar plates that are impregnated with antibiotics like vancomycin. Clinical signs include pus-like discharge in genital, inflammation, redness and swollen tissues. The characteristic clinical sign is burning sensation during urination. It is predisposing disease to conjunctivitis (Genco & Wetzler, 2010), urethritis (Stamm, 1999), prostatitis and orchitis (Budai, 2007).

Granuloma inguinale

Granuloma Inguinale (Carter et al, 1999) is a bacterial disease that is caused by Calymmatobacterium granulomatis and its primary clinical signs include ulcerations genital lesions. Diagnosis is arrived at based on presence of red ulcers that are painless. Biochemical tests through use of tissue biopsy confirm the pathogen. Confirmation tests involve use of Wright-Giemsa stain through purple coloration. Donovan bodies are also used to confirm donovanosis

Lymphogranuloma venereum

Lymphogranuloma venerum is caused by a pathogen termed as Chlamydia trachomatis subtypes L1, L2 or L3 (Morre’ et al, 2005). The risk group are homosexual men. It is transmitted through invasive serovars L1, L2 and L3 (Spaargaren et al, 2005). clinical signs include presence of abscesses or inguinal syndrome, rectal syndrome by affecting rectal mucosa (Norre’ et al, 2005) subject to anal sex and pronounced by observation of proctocolitis clinical signs or pharyngeal syndrome (Spaargaren et al, 2005) through infection of pharyngeal tissues.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a bacterial disease that is caused by Treponema pallidum (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006). The clinical signs of syphilis vary depending on the stage of development of the disease. Different subtypes of Treponema pallidum result into varieties of diseases for instance subtype Treponema pallidum pallidum causes syphilis, subtype T. pallidum endemicum (Holmes et al, 1999) causes bejel or endemic syphilis, subtype T. pallidum carateum causes pinta and subtype T. pallidum pertenue causes yaws (Antal et al, 2002). Diagniosis occurs through Dieterle stain while other diagnostic tools include serology, nontreponemal and treponemal antibody tests (Clark et al, 2009).

Methodology

This study used open ended questions to derive different respondent perspectives on sex and human sexuality. The study relied on two respondents. The study used personalized survey and focus discussion perspective in order to get respondent personal angle and opinion on human sexuality with regard to attitudes, beliefs and values and mechanism they are shaped by biological foundations of sexuality, social processes of sexuality and cultural influences on human sexuality.

Results

Interview results

The interview results determine that different people have different opinion on human sexuality with regard to attitudes, beliefs and values. Respondent 1 claimed that sexual attitudes are affected by cultural constraints

The respondent 1 was found to have positive attitudes on use of condoms to prevent contact between female and male seminal fluid while respondent 2 exhibited negative attitudes by claiming cultural values predispose constraints in use of condoms or engagement with premarital sex. Respondent 1 claimed lack of information on sexuality is characterized by dangers of conception, childhood pregnancies and increased threat to sexually Transmitted diseases. However, respondent 2 argued there is increased exposure of individuals to information on sexuality that has decreased capacity for individuals to control their sexual behavior. Respondent 2 argued that sexuality and sexual information is not targeted at specific age group or persons of particular social groups. Peer pressure was identified by respondent 1 as a leading cause to increased sexual activity amongst the adolescents. Parents, teachers, and the church put a lot of expectations on children sexual behavior without determining the role that the media plays in increasing children sexual arousal. Increased biological awareness on sexuality has resulted into increased sexual behavior amongst youth. Respondent 2 claimed that teachers and parents demands towards restricting children sexual behavior and sexual activity is not based on approaches that could reduce sexual activity participation of the children but rather increased opportunities for children to engage in sexual activities. Children have varied opinions on sexuality from different perspectives which are based on increased environmental or cultural revolution that have contributed into different opinion on sex hence creating environment for sexual biasness.

Respondent 1 valued openness in issues related to sexually transmitted disease while respondent 2 was not open to issues related to STD citing sexuality as a personal issue that is independent from social context and learned beliefs on sexuality. Respondent 1 claimed that STD education and awareness have capacity to change people sexual values hence capacity implement communal STD programs meant to sensitize community on sexuality while respondent 2 claimed that individuals ought to take responsibility of their sexuality. Respondent 1 argued that community sensitization on STD has effect of reducing stigma on STD and increase participation of community on STD programs that could improve outcomes in terms of reducing prevalence and incident rates of STD while respondent 2 claimed that increased information on STD has capacity to increase tendency of individuals to engage in sex due to increased awareness and perception to be in control of sexual behavior. Respondent 1 posed a claim that STD knowledge empowerment shapes sexuality behavior of individual while respondent 2 claimed that increase of knowledge on STD increases infection rates hence doesn’t shape individual behavior positively towards control of STD hence increased incidence rates of HIV. Respondent 1 claimed that approaches used towards STD sensitization are appropriate while respondent 2 claimed that STD sensitization approaches uses warning based teachings to bring about fear on STD that don’t contribute into positive outcomes in terms of shaping individual sexuality behavior. respondent 1 indicated that innovation in management of STD have provided foundation for individual understanding of sexuality through creative methods of managing STD while respondent 2 claimed innovations in STD management don’t result into cultivating best behaviors and values towards sexuality. Respondent 1 claimed that self evaluation in terms of sexuality behavior were consistent with values on individual quality of life while respondent 2 indicated that self evaluation on STD does not reflect individual self reflection on STD management or demonstrate capability of the individual to learn from experiences which doesn’t play a vital role in improving quality of life. Respondent 1 claimed that STD sensitization should be structured towards realization of social justice with regard to equal access to quality care as a human right while respondent 2 claimed that sexuality matters don’t quality to standards of social justice since they empower individuals to think that sexual health is a human right. Respondent 1 claimed that values of STD sensitization should cultivate respect through documentation of individual voices on sexuality while respondent 2 claimed that individual voice on sexuality should be structured on age which would restrict access to vital information on sexuality to particular age-groups.

Respondent 1 claimed that people beliefs have resulted into different perception of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and sexually transmitted infections (STI) with regard to acceptance of individual in the society. Respondent 2 however claimed that taboos and cultural values are responsible for isolation of STD and STI patients which fuels non-acceptance. Respondent 1 claimed that STD prevention through abstinence, mutual monogamous relationships, use of male and female condoms have capacity to reduce spread of STD and STI. However respondent 2 claimed that abstinence cannot be achieved due to continual sexual arousal from the media and shift in spouse expectations, increasing rights on sexuality and human freedoms that break taboos and cultural values that bound people on monogamous relationships. Respondent 2 argued that information on STD and STI cannot achieve any objective with regard to control of human sexuality because it improves people information and hence knowledge that they can control their sexual behavior without addressing the biological foundation of human sexuality.

Respondent 1 claimed that attitudes and beliefs on work are not addressed by work ethics which make employees vulnerable to seduction. Respondent 2 however indicated that work policies ought to state and provide guidelines on managing sexual harassment, sexual victimization and intimidation that create environment for homophobia, racism and name calling through appropriate punitive behavior to curb the behavior. Respondent 1 argued that children and adolescent have no adequate knowledge on gender roles in sexuality and rationale sexuality issues influence on feelings that creates increased incident rates to sexual behavior. However respondent 2 claimed that environment of a child or adolescent determines sexual behavior. Adolescents don’t acquire sufficient sex education that could make them make informed sexuality choices which demonstrates decreased sexual identity based on respondent 1 view. However respondent 2 claimed children learn sexual identity and sexually related content from their peers regardless of culture and it is ignorance and peer pressure that shapes sexual behavior of people.

Discussion of the results

The survey results determined that human sexuality knowledge has capacity to contribute into understanding of biological differentiation and mechanism biological foundations of sexuality functions. Biological foundations of sexuality provide basis for individual understanding of identity for instance “I am a boy or a girl”. This makes it possible for individual for instance female to control reproduction and subscribe to use of pregnancy preventive methods. The results determined that cultural values for instance taboos that restrict female from engaging in premarital sex have capacity to reduce female sex planning hence inability of the female to understand rationale sexuality based on biological foundations impacts on health and quality of life in the long term. Knowledge in sexual differentiation has contributed into increased shift in sexual orientation with regard to asexuality, heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality orientations. This has resulted into distortion of cultural values with regard to human sexuality.

The study determined that media plays a role in individual understanding of biological foundations of human sexuality. Individual learn sexuality is controlled by central nervous system and is shaped by cultural factors or environmental forces as an individual grows and develops. The findings determined that visual imagery influence on sexual behavior through observations and hormone controlled systems that affect sexuality subject to interaction of positive values with regard to cultural and biological influence. Exposure of individuals to media arouses individual sexual response. This provides basis for individual to seek information on sexual identity and biological foundation of sexuality. As a result, individuals have access to sexuality information that further shapes their behavior towards sex. Environment impacts on individual sexual behavior through participation in sex-related behaviors that are fueled by peer pressure or social contact with individuals that have different choices of sexual objects.

The findings determined that biological foundations of sexuality influence on sexual responses that is subjective and dependent on sexual excitement. The arousal is dependent on individual physiological changes and hormonal reaction to stimulates of sexual behavior for instance imagery. However self image that is culturally based determines degree of physiological capacity to respond to perceived sexual behavior. as a result, cognitive processes of sexual behavior that influence on individual sexual arousal depend on emotional state of the individual and reaction of individual to psychosomatic cycle of sexual behavior. based on biological foundations of sexuality, awareness of changes of body have capacity to contribute into inhibitory behavior or excitatory behavior with increased incidences of excitatory behavior taking precedence hence increased individual sexual participation through planning or without planning. The stimulants to psychosomatic circle is initiated by stimulating components like thought on sexual behavior, sexually exiting thoughts, perception of sexually stimulating images or individual own tactile stimulation of body parts. This implies sexual process is a learned process else, sexual behavior may fail to develop. This implies culture of feminine reservation re4sults into decreased sexual awareness that impacts on individual self-capacity to understand sexuality and sexual behavior. The findings demonstrated that cognitive information processing arises through individual awareness or individual lack of awareness that impact on emotional states that shape individual sexual behavior.

The findings determined that social processes play a significant role in shaping human sexuality. Social processes influence on values and beliefs hence attitudes of individual on sexuality and sexual behavior. Social processes influence level of individual capacity to transform intimacy within intimate environment hence corresponding capacity to develop sexual behavior based on biological foundation of sexuality thus psychosomatic circle. Sexuality is dependent on individual reflection which gains support from social learning theory on behavior and constructivist learning theory and its corresponding capability to shape sexual behavior. Individuals exhibit different perception on learning theory on sexual behavior and sexuality that is dependent on cultural orientation of the individual. This shows that gender attributions as a social learning process is varied amongst different cultural settings due to values attached to sexuality. It can be contrary argued that although cultural values shape sexuality, biological foundations of sexuality take precedence with regard to sexual behavior because sex and gender are independent of culture based on psychosomatic circle of sexual behavior. This implies that sexuality as a socially constructed process is independent on individual understanding of femininity or masculinity but more dependent towards sexual social relations and power of social closeness. Sexuality expression for instance touch, looks, stances language, body language or clothing and dressing act as physical stimulant and although arousal depends on environment and biological development, influence on sexuality behavior. Environment shapes sexuality and sexual behavior hence needs for increased regulation of individual on environments that could result into arousal of sexual behavior in order to reduce exposure to STD or STI. Social processes influence capacity to utilize birth control methods during sexual activity. This however is dependent on beliefs and values and attitudes towards sexual behavior.

The findings determined that cultural or environment influences on human sexuality. Culture influences on behavior, sexual beliefs, attitudes as well as sexuality values. Cultural conflicts however could present a barrier towards individual capability to learn sexual behavior and sexuality. This influences on individual behavior displayed on sexuality. Culture has restrictive influence of sexuality and results into individual incapacity to plan their sexual process or activities. This results into inability of individual to plan measures for protection against diseases that could develop post sexual activity. Individuals cannot claim consent to going against cultural beliefs or values or taboos because this is against the cultural environment that they emerge from that ahs cultural values on sexuality. Culture influences on gender roles on sexuality through tasks and accepted norms and behavior. As a result, individual may fail to have required exposure to sexual knowledge due to sacred nature of the topic on sexuality and different school of opinions and thought that different individuals develop in subject to sexual environments and values attached to sexuality. Culture predisposes sexuality pressure that for instance demands female to demonstrate submissiveness to males, exhibit self-sacrifice and have spiritual strength to manage different environments that have diverse sexual arousal and behavior. Culture therefore demonstrates protectionist perspective through demanding females to focus their lives on their families which qualify females as family bonds. This implies a female has to maintain sensuality and positive sexual behavior that is meant to demonstrate purity, virtuous behavior and chastity. This implies, sexuality based on cultural expectations may go against biological foundations of sexuality.

Conclusion

Based on the findings, attitudes, beliefs and values on human sexuality are shaped by biological foundations of sexuality (genetic) and environmental foundations of sexuality (culture) that help to shape social processes that influence on sexual behavior.

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