STIs in the Black Community: 5 Myths

I recently read a 2023 BBC report on some troubling misconceptions among young people about sexual health. Some believe that washing after sex can prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Others think that drinking from bottles made with BPA plastic has the potential to prevent pregnancy. As absurd as these claims may sound, many people believe them and act on them in hopes of preventing STIs or pregnancy.

The problem with these myths is not just that they are incorrect, but also that they have caused much harm to several members of the Black community in the US. According to the National Institute of Health, sexual myths and misconceptions around sexual health are the primary reason why many members of our community can’t address sexual health concerns. These misunderstandings also make it more difficult for healthcare providers to deliver appropriate and timely care.

Many things have changed with the advent of technology, but one thing that technology has not been able to touch is the conversation about STIs and sex. Currently, the conversation around sexual health is still wrapped in silence, misinformation, and even shame. Our religion and culture have made sex discussion taboo. The expectation is often abstinence until marriage, but if one is “keeping themselves,” the thinking goes, why discuss STIs at all?

Because of this, sex and everything related to it are wrapped in secrecy, which has caused many to delay testing, discourage honest conversations, and has resulted in the spread of HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and other STIs. It is not surprising that Black people make up 40% of new HIV infections in the US, according to Capital B News. The rate of gonorrhea in Black men is 8.9 times higher than that of white men, according to a research result on ScienceDirect. At the same time, 44% of new chlamydia cases are prevalent among Black people, according to SCIRP.

Most of us grew up hearing messages about sex from our churches, communities, and the internet—messages that, over time, we’ve come to realize were incomplete, misleading, or simply untrue. Let’s take a look at five of the most common myths affecting our communities.

STI Myths That Hurt Black Communities

STIs only happen to ‘promiscuous’ people

This is a common myth, but why does it remain in our community? The answer is simple: this myth is tied to respectability politics, (ie, the pressure to appear morally upright in the community to avoid moral judgment).

What has given this myth its roots to strive and grow strong has been our culture, religion, and historical influences.

Because they feel they are morally upright, they conclude that STIs are not for them and avoid testing.

You can get an STI whether you have one partner or multiple partners. You may be in a committed relationship, “not that type of person,” and careful with your choice, and you can still be at risk because STIs don’t care about your character; they spread through exposure.

As long as I don’t have symptoms, I’m fine

In our community, illness is always associated with pain, discomfort, visible signs, or obvious changes. So if none of these are there, you are perfectly okay.

The silent infection has led to:

Infertility
Chronic pain
Increased risk of HIV
Cancer, especially Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Therefore, when we talk about testing, we are not talking about how you are feeling but about what you are not seeing.

Common infections such as human papillomavirus and chlamydia often have no symptoms, especially in the early stages. Many have carried these infections and passed them to others, as if nothing ever happened.

Talking about STIs will ruin my relationship

According to a New Zealand Herald report, stigma is the reason why many don’t want to talk about STIs with their partner. This stigma also leads to the fear that they may eventually lose their partner, according to The Conversation.

They fear that their partner could think:

They are not trusted
They are being accused of cheating
They are bringing negativity to the relationship

Avoiding the conversation has been shown not to protect the relationship in the long run, but rather to put it at risk. When a couple doesn’t talk about sexual health, they will likely:

Skip testing
Avoid protection
Spread infection unknowingly

A healthy relationship is one where partners have honest conversations, even when they may be uncomfortable. When you can talk about STIs with your partner freely, it shows:

Respect
Responsibility
Care for each other’s health

STI testing is expensive or hard to access

Many Black people think this because of the unequal healthcare system we have in the US. So many think STI testing is one of those medical things where they will need to cough up a chunk of money.

Because people think they can’t afford testing, they delay or avoid testing completely. Early detection is not just cheaper, but it can also help prevent long-term complications.

There are many free and low-cost testing options, which include:

Planned Parenthood Health Centers, such as Planned Parenthood Action Fund
Local Health Departments (find them here)
Community Health Centers (find the list here)
Free STI Clinics & Nonprofit Organizations (search for the one closest to you here)
College and University Health Clinics (here’s a list that can help)

Having an STI means your life is over

In the Black community, STIs are often linked with shame, fear, and social judgment. And if you are a committed member of a church, you are in for double the shame and judgment. Some have even been rejected after a diagnosis has been made public.

Fear of judgment leads to:

Avoiding testing
Hiding diagnoses
Not seeking treatment

Most STIs today are:

Treatable
Manageable
Not life-ending

These are some of the reasons infections continue to spread like wildfire, particularly within the Black community. To break these myths, Elevate Black Health recommends the following:

Have open conversations from home to school, to church, and to community centers
We need culturally sensitive education, not one that comes with judgment
A need to access accurate and relatable information

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