Older Scots take risks in enjoying unprotected sex
MIDDLE-aged Scots are engaging in riskier sex than teenagers, with many dismissing chances of contracting a sexually transmitted infection.
A new study has revealed almost one in five people over 45 admitted unprotected sex with someone other than their partner in the past five years.
The survey, by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, found around one-third believed their risk of picking up a sexually transmitted infection (STI) having unprotected sex was either unlikely or very unlikely.
But the researchers were even more shocked to discover that a fifth of respondents between 45-54 believed their chances of picking up an infection were “next to nothing”.
And double the number of those over 55 believed their chances of contracting a sexual disease was slim, compared to young people aged between 18-24. Sandra Melville, chairman of the Scottish Pharmacy Board, said: “STIs don’t discriminate on age. If you have unprotected sex with a new partner, you are at risk.”
Nearly a quarter of 45 to 54-year-olds surveyed said they didn’t use contraception as they trusted the person they were sleeping with not to have an STI.
One in 10 said the reason they had unprotected sex was because they didn’t like condoms. Laura Wilson, an Ayrshire pharmacist and Scottish spokesperson for RPSGB, said: “Condoms and other contraception were always available at the chemist but pharmacy is changing and every community pharmacy offers a range of public health and lifestyle advice.
“Pharmacists now provide free chlamydia testing kits, for those at risk as well as prescribing treatment for people with positive test results.”
