Topic Overview

High-risk sexual behaviour puts people at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unplanned pregnancy, and being in a sexual relationship before being mature enough to know what makes a healthy relationship. Teens and young adults are at higher risk than adults.

Examples of high-risk sexual behaviour include:

• Unprotected intercourse without male or female condom use.
• Unprotected mouth-to-genital contact.
• Starting sexual activity at a young age. The younger people are when they start having sex, the greater their risk is of getting genital herpes.
• Having multiple sex partners.
• Having a high-risk partner (one who has multiple sex partners or other risk factors).
• Having unprotected anal sex or a partner who does.
• Having sex with a partner who injects or has ever injected drugs.
• Sex trade work.

Reasons for high-risk behaviour

People may have high-risk behaviour because they:

• May not understand the concern about STIs and how they are transmitted.
• May not talk about safer sex practices with sex partners.
• Aren't prepared or don't understand how to use protective measures to prevent STIs.
• May not be aware of symptoms of STIs.
• May not seek medical care for STI symptoms.
• May not have access to treatment or be able to afford treatment.
• May use alcohol and drugs and have sex. Drugs and alcohol impair judgment and make unsafe sex more likely.

For more information, see the topic Sexually Transmitted Infections.