US plays risky sex game

2005-10-11 13:47

Washington - Americans are playing a risky game of sexual roulette, according to a new poll that found only 39% of respondents always ask a new lover if they are infected with HIV, the virus that causes Aids.

The new poll by Zogby for MSNBC.com also found that 73% of respondents were involved in a monogamous relationship and 66% of those surveyed had had unprotected sex while under the influence of alcohol.

Just 39% of respondents to the online survey, conducted between September 12 to 16, said they always asked whether a new partner is infected with HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases.

Thirty-one percent said they never discuss the touchy issue with a new partner, according to a summary of the survey findings published on MSNBC.com.

The same survey also found 15% of Americans had paid someone for sex, and 25% of those surveyed anonymously in the online poll had sex three times a week or more, while 20% made love fewer than twice a month.

Some 35% of respondents said they had been with between one and five sexual partners, while 19% said they had gone through more than 25 partners.

- AFP