Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Teens - Essay Example

? Sexually transmitted diseases in teens Guido Maya Management resources institute Mercedes Garcia Community project on sexually transmitted diseases-Miami Dade County Date: 22 August 2013 Introduction Sexually transmitted diseases among teens are a growing concern for the entire Miami-Dade County. Florida ranks among the leading States with highest number of reported AIDS cases and Congenital syphilis. Sexually transmitted diseases like Gonorrheal infections, HIV, Chlamydia, and Herpes are spread through sexual activity or body fluids (National Coalition of STD Directors, 2013). More than 30 new cases of STDs are diagnosis each day in Florida. Accordingly, 66 percent of the diagnosed cases involve peopled aged between 15 to 24 years. The County has a high sexual activity among teens and more than 50 percent of the high schools teens are sexually active. 16 percent of the teenagers have multiple sex partners while 30 percent do not use condom during condoms during sexual intercourse (National Coalition of STD Directors, 2013). Surprisingly, 93 percent of the teenagers surveyed did not use any birth control methods while about 20 percent did not receive any formal education related to prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013). Sexual activity among teens has increased the vulnerability to STDs, emotional distress and unwanted pregnancies. Miami-Dade STDs prevention efforts entail clinical services, surveillance, diagnosis and treatment of the reportable cases and community relations. The health department has gone further to implement awareness, events and research initiatives in curtailing new infections. There is also testing outside the public clinics, referrals and partners services for the infected persons (National Coalition of STD Directors, 2013). The research paper will discuss the nursing interventions, goals and approach that is used by Miami-Dade County in reducing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases among teenagers in the County.. Nursing tests and diagnosis Miami-Dade County has the ‘test Miami’ initiative that entails collaboration with HIV counselors, private and public sector organizations, University of Miami Developmental Center for AIDS Research and other partner organizations in promoting regular HIV testing among the population, improving the public awareness on HIV and reducing the new of new infections (Heath, 2013). This initiative has enabled unique populations access HIV testing and reduce the stigma and discrimination against the HIV-positive individuals. Antiretroviral access training and peer education programs have enhanced the positive response towards testing and prevention of STDs (Heath, 2013). Target approach and nursing interventions Miami-Dade Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) control and prevention aims at reducing the incidence of STDs through screening, testing and diagnosis. The program also ensures prophylactic treatment and offers counseling to sexual partners. Surveillance efforts are conducted in order to ensure reportable STDs to either private or public health care providers. The private and public laboratories, health care providers and physicians are expected by the law to report positive STDs such as HIV and Syphilis to the MDCHD on daily basis (Heath, 2013). These cases are supposed to be reported to the State Health Office and Centers of Diseases Control and Prevention. In 2008, Miami-Dade County improved youth access to prevention and treatment services through providing school-based STD screening in public high schools (Heath, 2013). The nursing interventions have ensured that HIV-positive men especially White, Black and Hispanic men who have sex with other men are informed and screened for rectal gonorrhea and Chlamydia by the health care providers. This nursing intervention is common in areas such as Little Haiti, South Beach and Liberty City (Heath, 2013). Accordingly, HIV-positive pregnant women living in areas such as South Beach and Overtown are provided with culturally sensitive support on both pre and post-partum care in ensuring the new born have post-natal care and undergo HIV screening. The health department has also empowered the faith-based organizations especially among the Haitian population in order to disseminate information pertaining to HIV stigma reduction and advocate for early HIV screening and treatment among the citizens (Heath, 2013). Short-term and long-term goals One of the short-term goals is to ensure that individuals who recently get HIV infections or are at high risk of infection attain the relevant information and referral services. In this case, Miami-Dade County has actively addressed the barriers of accessing STDs prevention, treatment and care services for the population that are at a higher risk. Miami-Dade County is geared at reducing the number of new HIV infections by 25 percent by the year 2015 and reducing the rate of transmission by 30 percent. Another short-term goal is to increase the percentage of persons diagnosed with HIV and linked to clinical care as evidenced by the CD4 count or viral load measure within the first 3 months of HIV diagnosis to 85 percent. Miami-Dade County Health department is committed to reducing the percentage of HIV-diagnosed persons in care who have unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse during the last 12 months with partners of unknown HIV status by more than 33 percent (National Coalition of STD Directors, 2013). The long-term goal of Miami-Dade County STDs testing and prevention strategies to reduce the overall rate of new infections through dissemination of awareness information, provision of condoms and availing enough social and clinical support to the affected teenagers. The County aspires to establish long-term collaborations with both private and public health care providers in enhancing the outreach services and offering incentives for teenagers to participate in STDs screening (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013). The “Take Control” initiative is focused in proving integrated services to the high-risk populations through fostering CDC testing guidelines among the teenagers, distribution of branded condoms and increasing the access care and treatment services. There are school-based interventions such as Black and Hispanic MSMs that entails the Man UP initiative and transgender that aims at encouraging risk reduction behaviors (Heath, 2013). Evaluations Miami-Dade County health department has increased STDs education among teens in the high schools. 16 percent of the students in high school are required to take more than 2 health related education courses and 83 percent of the students are taught on matters pertaining to HIV, teen pregnancy and STD prevention. Accordingly, about 50 percent of the teachers have received professional development education on STD prevention while 65 percent of the teenagers in school have received information on condom use (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013). Teaching and recommendations The main prevention efforts include behavioral interventions, harm reduction and programs that aim at early testing and treatment. Some strategies that have been used to address STD infection among the high risky populations in the County include provision of free condoms and education awareness programs in the high schools, peer education initiated by community partner organizations and public media campaigns (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013). Miami-Dade County must increase the access to treatment through provision of effective health and social support services. In this case, timely treatment and support must address the stigmatization, lack of co-ordination and sharing of surveillance information between the STD treatment service providers. The County must increase the access of ancillary servicers such as transport, housing and AIDS assistance drugs among the poor population in order to curb the rate of new transmissions that occur due to prostitution (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013). Resources available in the community There are numerous resources available in the community that aim at combating the spread of STDs among teens in Miami-Dade County. For instance, the department of health has contracted University of Miami to provide clinical services related to spread of STD among teens through ensuring early diagnosis and treatment. The clinics offer STD related clinical services at affordable or absolutely no cost. However, the main clinics include the Health District Center that is located in 1350 NW 14 Street and West Perrine Health Center that is located on 18255 Homestead Avenue. Other clinics include Camillus Health Concern, Inc, Helen B. Bentley Family health center, Little River STD Clinic, Community Health of South Dade, Inc and Miami Beach STD Clinic (National Coalition of STD Directors, 2013). Conclusion Miami-Dade County has a high rate of STDS transmission. The health department has implemented several initiatives that at ensuring surveillance, early screening and testing and access to quality treatment. The health department has partnered with other organizations such as University of Miami and faith-based organizations in increasing STD awareness education and outreach services among the high-risk populations. Initiatives like “test Miami and ‘Take Control’ Initiative have increased the access to testing and treatment among the teenagers. Accordingly, high school students have the opportunity to learn more than one course on sexually transmitted diseases, access free branded condoms and test for HIV. The Health department must increase the access to other services such as housing and transport among the affected teenagers and encourage risk behavior reduction. References: Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2013). “Enhanced Comprehensive HIV prevention planning and implementation for Metropolitan Statistical areas most affected by HIV/AIDS”, Miami-Dade County Health Department. Retrieved on 22 August, 2013 from http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/prevention/demonstration/echpp/sites/miami.htmlFlorida Heath. (2013). “ Miami-Dade Sexually-transmitted disease (STD) Control and prevention”, Florida Health, Retrieved on 22 August 2013 from http://www.dadehealth.org/std/STDintro.asp. National Coalition of STD Directors. (2013). “School-based STD screening efforts in Miami- Dade County, Florida”, NCSD. Retrieved on 22 August 2013 from http://www.ncsddc.org/resources/school-based-std-screening-efforts-miami-dade-county- florida-ncsd-webinar. Read More