The Importance of Safe Sex - Essay Example

The Importance of Safe Sex Affiliation: The Importance of Safe Sex ` Today, safe sex messages are directed towards young people, but individuals who are sexually active should also consider practicing safe sex. Safe sex emphasizes on taking precautions during a sexual intercourse. Having sexual intercourse with an individual of the opposite sex may result to unplanned pregnancy whereas any form of sexual encounter could lead to spread of sexually transmitted infections. As such, it is true that safe sex plays a vital role in helping individuals to refrain from encountering these unexpected consequences. One should be aware of safe sex before he or she is anywhere close to having sex (Kaitani, 2008). Since great responsibility is associated with increased sexual activity, it is vital for an individual to act appropriately to safeguard himself or herself in order to stay healthy and safe, especially if he or she is having sex or plans to do so in the immediate future. The topic of safe sex is considered a crucial topic, and those with the knowledge of keeping themselves safe will manage to develop appropriate strategies of preventing unanticipated pregnancies, STIs, and particularly HIV and AIDS (Kaitani, 2008). Although a large number of people argue that abstinence is the best way of keeping them safe from unwanted pregnancies and STIs, not all, because if one plans to engage in an intimate relationship, then it is crucial to understand the different items to use in order to have safe sex (Connell, Crawford, Dowsett, & Kippax, 2013). Safe sex helps to prevent natural outcomes. Regardless of whether a person is aware about birth control pills and condom use, these practices cannot help him or her when he or she is in the heat of passion with another person. This is particularly the case in case the two individuals are fully or partially undressed. Although use of contraceptives is not a difficult task, it demands extensive planning. The most effective ways of avoiding pregnancy demand a visit to a clinic or a doctor. Other ways of avoiding pregnancy involve a trip to a chemist or any other authorized drugstore. Nonetheless, in case a couple does not want to have a baby, then they should refrain from engaging in sex (Connell et al., 2013). Safe sex is helpful in terms of preventing individuals from contracting diseases. Even when people safeguard themselves against becoming pregnant, they could contract a sexually transmitted infection. In fact, many methods of contraceptives do not provide any form of protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). A condom is the common birth control method that is popular for providing protection against STIs. Nonetheless, it is not recommended as the most effective birth control method. In this scenario, sexual partners are advised to use about two forms of contraceptives in order to maximize the effects (Hagen, 2009). Practicing safe sex is often a cumbersome process, which is the reason as to why a large number of people do not use any type of protection, mostly from time to time. This is why a large number of pregnancies and STIs are reported on a daily basis, particularly in the developing countries. As such, if an individual wishes to engage in sex, it is essential for him or her to learn about the different ways of preventing STIs and unwanted pregnancies (Connell et al., 2013). After an individual engages in sexual intercourse, he or she can realize pleasure or may be willing to make babies. Most individuals experience moments in their lives when they wish to combine the two, even though most of the time they will want one than the other. This is why health practitioners, physicians, the society, and the government recommend the use of contraceptives. In such a situation, as one becomes less worried about risking a disease or becoming pregnant, he or she tends to enjoy sex more. This is also applicable in the other way. In case sexual partners decide to engage in sex without contraceptive use, they are afraid of contracting an STI or becoming pregnant, they will enjoy sex less (Hagen, 2009). Applying Critical Skills in Addressing the Issue Based on the emphasis given to the issue of the need for safe sex in the world today, I believe it is appropriate to apply characteristics of critical thinking by exploring cognitive skills and habits of the mind to help emphasize on the need for practicing safe sex. In the recent years, I have noted that critical thinking (CT) has realized continuous development, particularly with regard to understanding that diagnostic processes are vital in human responses towards practicing safe sex. In the nursing care environment, for instance, I believe it is the role of nurses to provide families, individuals, and communities to practice safe sex in order for them to remain healthy and control the rates of birth in the society (Lunney, 2010). I have realized that helping individuals understand the importance of safe sex entails offering interventions that eliminate problems, reduce infection risks, and enforce optimum health among members of the community. In this case, before nurses and other health practitioners decide to provide people with assistance with regard to practicing safe sex, I believe it is vital for them to understand the state of the problem comprehensively, state of risk, and readiness to promote safe sex. Nonetheless, it is challenging to for health practitioners to identify the appropriate or most effective strategies since the problems humans encounter are unique and complex. This problem becomes more challenging particularly because nurses and other health practitioners are also human, an indication that they cannot devise strategies for practicing safe sex for all people since they do not understand other individuals but themselves (Lunney, 2010). In order to raise awareness about the need for practicing safe sex, I have noted that three forms of competencies are essential. These can help nurses to address the issue, understand risk states, and be ready while promoting other people’s health. These competencies include interpersonal, technical, and intellectual. In this case, I support the “unknowing” attitude since we are unaware about other individuals unless they give us the information we need to know. As such, it is essential to support interpersonal communication in encouraging individuals to engage in safe sex. In order to gather reliable and valid information from families, individuals, and communities regarding how they practice safe sex, it is appropriate for nurses undertake essential health examinations and education strategies. Excellent communication skills are also vital as they work together with technical competencies in developing appropriate strategies for encouraging individuals to practice safe sex. As such, based unique and complex nature associated with human beings, it is vital for nurses and other health practitioners to devise ways of understanding mental processes to understand the different perceptions that individuals have towards practicing safe sex (Lunney, 2010). In this case, I believe it would be possible to devise effective strategies of encouraging people to practice safe sex in order to safeguard them from unanticipated pregnancies and STIs. References Connell, R. W., Crawford, J., Dowsett, G. W., & Kippax, S. (2013). Sustaining Safe Sex: Gay Communities Respond to AIDS. London: Routledge. Hagen, R. A. (2009). What You Always Wanted to Know about Safe Sex and STDs. New York: iUniverse. Kaitani, M. (2008). Safe sex: knowledge, practice, and the contradictions : a case study of Fijian men in urban Suva. California: Secretariat of the Pacific Community. Lunney, M. (2010). Use of Critical Thinking in the Diagonostic Process. International Journal of Nursing Terminologies and Classifications, 21(2), 82-88. Read More