Private MD News

Many New Yorkers do not use condoms

Category: Sexually Transmitted Diseases

A poll from the New York City Health Department found that the majority of New York City residents are not using condoms, making them far more vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases. The poll found that roughly two-thirds of the city's residents reported that they had not used a condom in their last sexual encounter, making it less surprising that so many of the city's residents test positive when it comes to STD testing.

Condom use
The city has spent millions of dollars marketing the use of condoms and safe sex, according to the New York Post, but there has been little increased use in condoms since a similar poll took place in 2003. The survey found that condom use decreased as the age group surveyed grew older. Those aged 18 to 24 used condoms an average of 63 percent of the time, but the numbers of those using proper protection fell in higher age groups. Approximately 90 percent of senior citizens did not use condoms to prevent disease during sex, according to the poll.

Many in the city also claimed to have multiple partners, with more than 400,000 residents claiming to have had more than three sexual partners in the year before the survey was taken. This increases the chances of spreading STDs like chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, which can have devastating complications if left untreated. For those living in the area and nationwide, a lab test online can show the status of these diseases.

STDs in New York City
​America's largest city has had high STD rates for many years, and studies have found that the city is plagued by high rates of many diseases, like chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV/AIDS. Those who live in New York City may want to seek STD tests to be sure of their status, especially if they live in neighborhoods that have high rates of the diseases. A different study from the New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, showed that many areas of the city had high rates for STDs.

An anonymous STD test is more discreet than a visit to the doctor or clinic and can provide the status of those who have multiple partners in New York City and in other parts of the country.