Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) - Essay Example

Why do you think some people do not seek treatment for STIs? Be specific and explain your answer? Definitely,Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) contribute to several social and psychological repercussions to the point of making it a major barrier to one’s social life. Generally, infected people refuse to seek treatment of their illness for the fear of rejection, discrimination, judgment, being ridiculed and ostracism or social stigma along with the fear of getting negative behaviors and attitudes from people whom they love and depend on.

“Victims do not discriminate but people around them do” (Tomaszewski 2012). Sufferers of STI are most likely to experience health related societal stigma, hence, they tend to isolate themselves from the rest due to depression, embarrassment and poor individual image. “According to U. N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, 2008, ‘Stigma’ remains the single most important barrier to public action. It is a main reason why too many people are afraid to see a doctor to determine whether they are infected or not, or even to seek treatment if so.

This becomes a silent killer especially to AIDS sufferers because people fear the social disgrace of speaking about it, or taking easily available precautions. Stigma is a chief reason why the AIDS epidemic continues to devastate societies around the world” (Tomaszewski 2012) .Work Cited Tomaszewski, E. P. “Understanding HIV/ AIDS Stigma and Discrimination”. Socialworkers.org: Human Rights and International Affairs Division. March 2012. Web. 02 April 2013 2. How do you think the medical establishment could encourage people to get treatment for STIs?

Explain your answer.“STIs are said to be common among young people. Statistically, about 333 million new cases of curable sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) occur each year among young adults around the world. One in five people in the United States has an STD. One out of four new STD infections occurs in teenagers”(stopthinkbesafe.org 2003). The increase in the number of infected individuals with STIs every year becomes alarming. Therefore, the government and private health agencies and health institutions must join efforts to become vigilant and active in finding ways to curb the growing spread of STIs.

Unattended spread of STIs can ruin societies around the world. Hence, the highly recommended strategies to undertake would include: intensive information dissemination and implement outreach community programs. Such information dissemination and health service programs must be brought to the people in every near or far-flung community and not the other way around. Activities like gathering relevant and meaningful data can be very useful in “assessing the community particularly on disease epidemics, monitoring the spread of STIs and the probable people’s risk exposures to occupational and environmental hazards.

These efforts are essential in developing policies and procedures to protect public health from health threats”, (Dreyzehner n.d.)Works Cited “Facts You Should Know about Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) and Staying Healthy: STDs are Common among Young People”. Stopthinkbesafe.org. Peer to Peer, Stop Think and Be Safe. 2003. Web. 01 April 2013. Dreyzehner, John J.”Programs and Services Overview: Communicate and Environmental Disease Services”. health.state.tn.us .

Department of Health. (n.d.). Web. 03 April 2013.