Which risk factor increases a client’s chance of contracting STIs?

Engaging in sexual activity with multiple partners significantly increases the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The rationale behind this is primarily tied to the probability of exposure to an infected partner. When an individual has multiple sexual partners, the chances of encountering someone who carries an STI, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, increase. This can lead to a higher likelihood of transmission of infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV.

In contrast, options that involve protective measures, regular health check-ups, or limiting sexual activity to long-term partners actively promote practices that reduce the risk of contracting STIs. Regular health check-ups help in early diagnosis and treatment of STIs, using protection consistently creates a barrier that helps prevent transmission, and maintaining a sexual relationship with long-term partners often minimizes exposure to new infections. Therefore, engaging with multiple partners is a clear risk factor making it the correct choice in understanding the dynamics of STI transmission.