"you get it treated but hidden from everyone"
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) remain a pressing public health concern across the globe, with the UK witnessing a worrying rise in cases. What does this mean when it comes to STDs for British Asians?
Is there awareness and conversations around STDs in Desi communities?
According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), in 2023, syphilis diagnoses in England reached their highest levels since 1948, with cases rising by 15% between 2021 and 2022 alone.
Gonorrhoea cases also increased by 50% in the same period.
In 2023, diagnoses of infectious syphilis increased to 9,513, up 9.4% compared to 2022. Diagnoses were highest in London and other major urban areas
Within this broader context, British South Asian communities face unique challenges regarding sexual health and addressing the matter of STDs.
Socio-cultural norms and expectations and deeply rooted stigmas often prevent open discussions about sex and STDs.
As a result, misinformation spreads easily, shame can be acute, diagnoses are delayed, and access to treatment is hindered.
This can negatively impact the sexual health and well-being of those from Asian backgrounds like Pakistani, Indian, Nepalese, Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi.
DESIblitz explores the taboo and stigma encompassing STDs for Brit-Asians.
The Impact of Socio-Cultural Taboos
In many British South Asian households, conversations surrounding sex and sexual health are off-limits or take place in secret.
Socio-cultural expectations and religious views shape attitudes toward sexual health. In many South Asian cultures, religious beliefs emphasise chastity, especially before marriage for women.
This creates a climate where any sexual activity outside of marriage can traditionally be viewed as shameful, making conversations about sexual health difficult.
Openly talking about sex is often considered inappropriate, especially for women, where socio-cultural expectations of modesty and purity prevail.
Kiridaran et al. (2022) undertook research in the UK and asserted that Desi women are uncomfortable accessing sexual health services and communicating their sexual health concerns with healthcare professionals.
Moreover, researchers Dhairyawan et al. (2023) highlighted:
“Despite being the largest ethnic minority group in England, South Asians have historically had low levels of utilisation of sexual health services (SHS) and sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnoses.”
Thirty-year-old British Bangladeshi Asha* asserted:
“We as a whole don’t talk about sex; forget STDs and what they are.”
“I have the basics due to school and uncomfortable conversations with mum; that’s it, and a lot of that I’ve forgotten.
“A friend told me her mum once said, ‘You don’t need to know that, you’ll never do anything wrong’.
“At least mine tried. She knows knowledge is important; her’s was just limited.”
The silence around sex, sexual health and the issue of STDs discourages individuals from asking questions and seeking medical help.
Consequently, people can be unaware of STD symptoms and prevention methods.
Even when symptoms arise, they may be misattributed to other illnesses, delaying medical intervention.
The lack of dialogue perpetuates myths about STDs, such as the belief that only those with multiple partners contract them. This creates barriers to accessing sexual health services, as individuals fear judgment or ostracisation from their communities and families.
Breaking this silence is essential to improving awareness and reducing the spread of STDs.
Stigma Around STDs and Sexual Health
The stigma surrounding STDs in British South Asian communities can be profound.
Mohammed told DESIblitz:
“Outside sex education in school, STDs aren’t talked about, at least not in my experience.
“I remember friends thinking all you needed to do is glove up to be safe.”
“And if you have one, you get it treated but hidden from everyone. It’s gross and bad, you’re judged hard.
“One friend told me and another friend because he knew we wouldn’t talk and had no clue what to do.
“He didn’t tell us for ages until symptoms couldn’t be ignored and he needed to go doctors asap.”
Socio-cultural barriers and stigma around STDs contribute to the underutilisation of sexual health services by British South Asians.
A study examining attitudes towards HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI) testing in a predominantly South Asian community found that these factors significantly hindered service uptake.
Of all respondents, 68.5% were South Asian, compared to 31.5% who were White.
Participants expressed significant concerns about community judgement and potential breaches of confidentiality, underscoring the need for discreet and culturally appropriate services.
Moreover, it was found that South Asian participants felt they did not need HIV or STI testing because they had no symptoms and had only one partner.
STDs are often wrongly associated with moral failings. Being diagnosed with an STD can lead to social ostracisation, damaging personal reputations and further deepening the silence.
Lack of Awareness and Misinformation
A lack of sexual health education compounds the issue.
British South Asians can grow up without access to detailed or accurate information about sexual health due to cultural taboos.
Lack of information may also be a reality due to the view that they do not need to know.
For example, British Indian Reena said:
“Until a friend mentioned HPV [human papillomavirus], I didn’t think I needed to know anything since I’ve only been with my boyfriend.
“My sister and me had the vaccine but didn’t really know why, just that it would help against cervical cancer.”
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the world. It can lead to cervical cancer in women.
Without proper education, individuals are less likely to recognise STD symptoms or understand the importance of regular testing.
This not only increases personal health risks but also the spread of infections.
Addressing these issues requires initiatives to promote education while respecting cultural sensitivities.
For some British South Asians, seeking medical help for STDs can feel almost impossible. Fear of being judged by healthcare providers and concerns about confidentiality can create significant barriers.
Additionally, language barriers and a lack of culturally sensitive care can alienate patients.
The stigma surrounding STDs among British South Asians creates significant barriers to education, testing, and treatment.
Moreover, the stigma surrounding STDs extends beyond physical health, affecting mental well-being as well.
This pervasive stigma can lead to feelings of shame and isolation among those affected, discouraging them from seeking help and support.
Taboos encompassing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) remain powerful forces that are shaped by socio-cultural norms, influence behaviour, and impact health outcomes.
Socio-cultural expectations, religious beliefs, and societal pressures often silence open discussions, making it harder for individuals to seek medical help and feel comfortable asking questions to gain knowledge.
Breaking the silence surrounding STDs in British South Asian communities is vital for improving sexual health outcomes and well-being, as well as empowering individuals with essential knowledge.
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