If your love takes a turn to the bedroom this Valentine’s Day, sweethearts should remember to take some care.

The Health Disparities Report 2013, a study by the Bermuda Health Council, found that only half of single adults in Bermuda said they used a condom the last time they had sex.

And what was, perhaps, more alarming is which half of the population is practising safe sex.

Among single people, 18 to 39-year-olds were more likely to use a condom (58%) than those aged 40 to 64 (19%) or 65 and older (11%).

These findings show that all age groups are gambling with their sexual health, but older, single individuals are taking the most significant health risks when they are sexually active.

The 2008 Well Bermuda National Health Promotion Strategy identified improving safe sex practices as one of the 18 goals for addressing the Island’s health issues.

Some health behaviours identified in the Well Bermuda Strategy regarding sexually transmitted diseases are condom use and the number of sexual partners. The goal of the Well Bermuda Strategy is to focus on reducing these high-risk behaviours in order to reduce the rate of transmission of STIs.

The Communicable Disease Report 2012 by the Department of Health shows that while the number of confirmed HIV cases dropped from 8 in 2011 to 6 in 2012 and Chlamydia cases dropped from 468 in 2011 to 380 in 2012, the confirmed reports of genital herpes was up from 41 in 2011 to 63 in 2012.

Though the numbers show STIs continue to be a problem, according to BHeC’s health survey, Bermuda’s residents continue to participate in high-risk behaviours. In the past year, 21% of the adult population had two or more sexual partners.

And among single persons, those whose households had an income of less than $108,000 were more likely to have had more than one sexual partner during the previous year.

As far as your Valentine staying true: couples were more likely to report only having only one sexual partner in the previous year (79%) than those never married (38%), or those individuals who have been divorced, widowed, or separated (21%). This means that 21% of individuals in couples said they’d had more than one partner.

The Health Disparities Report also looked at preventative measures Bermuda’s population is taking in terms of HIV transmission.

It found that one in 14 fourteen adults reported engaging in risk factors for spreading HIV such as using intravenous drugs, giving or receiving money or drugs in exchange for sex and anal sex without a condom.

Young persons, those in the lowest income band and persons with less education were more likely to report engaging in one of the risk factors.

Only half of adults in Bermuda have been tested for HIV, however. Those aged 18 to 39 were more likely to have been tested for HIV (60%) vs. 40 to 64-year-olds (52%) and 65 and older adults (34%).

So while it may not be roses and it may not be chocolate, perhaps the best Valentine’s gift for you and your significant other this year would be an HIV test and the use of a condom if you are not monogamous. The chocolates will be ever sweeter if you know you’re safe.

For more information on the Health Disparities Report 2013 visit: http://www.bhec.bm/reports-studies/

***

This article was written by Robyn Skinner and Jennifer Attride-Stirling of the Bermuda Health Council.

***

The Bermuda Health Council was established in January 2006 and is tasked with regulating, coordinating and enhancing the provision of health services in Bermuda.