There is no running away, the situation has worsen. Scotland is facing one of the most serious challenges ever. STDs (short for sexually transmitted diseases) have been on the rise for the past 10 years. Compared to the stats just 10 years ago, STDs have risen by as much as 110%. That's more than double in absolute numbers. In 1998, there were just over 10,000 cases of STDs reported in Scotland. In year 2008, more than 22 thousand cases were reported (according to official stats).



So what is happening here? How did Scotland get into such a predicament? To find the solution to overcome this challenge, we must first start by having a better understanding of how the problem arises in the first place. Hence, the all important question now is, "How did STDs get transmitted in Scotland?" With some answers to this question, hopefully the relevant authorities can get to the root of the problem and eradicate STDs as much as possible.

Casual sex.

Casual sex means having intercourse between partners with little or no commitment at all. Often, an individual could have several sex periods within the same period of time. Intimacy could happen among friends. Most are just casual acquaintances.

Domestic and International Prostitution.

The act of prostitution encourages the spread of STDs. When sex occurs domestically, STDs are constrained to a certain geographical area or country. But when people travel overseas and engage in prostitution activities, STDs can be imported back to the country. The diseases are then spread among the locals.

Lack of proper education.

The above activities, which encourage STDs, stem from ignorance - a lack of proper education. Casual sex and prostitution alone won't spread STDs at such rapid rates. But unprotected sex certainly will. Most STDs like syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhoea or HIV spread only when there is contact between unprotected skin and flesh. In other words, having protected sex greatly reduces the chances of contracting STDs. This is what most people don't know, or don't understand. They think that having protected sex may be an uncomfortable experience. Some even think that STDs can only infect others! Surely, that kind of thinking can only stem from pure ignorance.

It's obvious now what the solution must be. Education must commence immediately to educate the general public of the consequences of unprotected sex. A piece of condom can possibly save a life!

When a life is at stake, perhaps the public will take STDs more seriously than before. Most are treatable, but the patient will have to endure much pain and suffering during the recovery process. But some, like HIV, cannot be treated. Then there are those who are unaware that they are HIV infected and they got pregnant. As a result, they give birth to babies who are also HIV infected.

Surely, we all hope such unnecessary suffering can be avoided altogether.