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Reasons women resisted screening included "1) inability to pay the copayment of a screening test, and 2) lack of knowledge of the asymptomatic nature, high prevalence, and possible adverse long-term reproductive effects of Chlamydia infection" (Ahmed et al. 2009). Eliminating co-pays for STD tests might be one way to increase detection, as well female-specific education strategies.
While screening for some STDs, such as HIV / AIDS, has increased, individuals may still resist because of 'not wanting to know' or fear of social stigma. The effects of HIV / AIDS can be mitigated with early drug intervention. This underlines the fact that detection and screening must become routine amongst high-risk populations for all STDs, regardless of the type of disorder.
Tertiary: Limiting disability/epidemic spread
Community-specific intervention may be required to make major strides in the prevention of STDs across the nation. For example, racial and ethnic minorities continue manifest higher rates of sexually transmitted diseases in the United States. "These disparities may be, in part, because racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to seek care in public health clinics that report STDs more completely than private providers," but lack of access to quality health care, poverty, or greater mistrust of the medical establishment may also be factors (Faculty notes, 2009, CDC). Regardless of the specific reason, to cite one example "in 2006, the rate of Chlamydia among African-Americans was more than eight times higher than the rate among whites (1275.0 vs. 153.1 per 100,000 population), with approximately 46% of all Chlamydia cases reported among African-Americans. Additionally, the rates among American Indians/Alaska Natives (797.3 per 100,000) and Hispanics (477.0 per 100,000), were five times and three times higher than whites, respectively" (Faculty notes, 2009, CDC). Unless the specific reasons for health disparities are addressed within these communities, long-term prevention of wide-scale epidemics will...
However, the reduction of STDs should be tied to poverty reduction, increased health awareness (including reduced substance abuse), and increased access to healthcare and screening. Because of the importance of teaching the public about appropriate condom use, of providing access to screening, of encouraging self-monitoring to avoid risky situations, and of increasing access to and trust of the healthcare system, STD prevention must be part of a widespread campaign to promote healthy behaviors. The spread of these illnesses cannot be isolated from anti-poverty, education, and anti-substance abuse campaigns.
References
Ahmed, K, & S. Scholle, H. Baasiri, K.W. Hoover, R. Romaguera, & G. Tao. (2009, April 17).
Chlamydia screening among sexually active young female enrollees of health plans:
United States, 2000 -- 2007. MMWR 58(14); 362-365. Retrieved January 21, 2009 at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5814a2.htm?s_cid=mm5814a2_e
Faculty Notes: Ready-to-use STD curriculum. (2009). Chlamydia. CDC.
Retrieved January 21, 2009 at http://www2a.cdc.gov/stdtraining/ready-to-use/chlamydia.asp
HPV. (2009). CDC. Retrieved January 21, 2009 at http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm#prevent
Retrieved January 21, 2009 at http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb6378/is_5_70/ai_n39191998/pg_3/?tag=content;col1
STDs: A MAJOR CONTEMPORARY PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN Sexually Transmitted Diseases Given the advances in medicine and public health over the past several decades, most people might assume that the incidence and prevalence of sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) is declining; however, the scientific evidence suggests otherwise. Recent estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States suggest that 20 million new STD infections occur every year and cost the
Recent estimates suggest that while representing 25% of the ever sexually active population, 15 to 24 years of age acquire nearly half of all new STD" (Special focus profiles: Adolescents and young adults, 2007, Surveillance 2006: CDC). Explained the type of epidemiology used While most of the data compiled is based upon statistical evidence from clinics and hospitals, in addition to this analytical methodology, research indicates in a descriptive fashion that
However, because of their nature, it is more appropriate to study them as STIs, or sexually transmitted infections since that is the their most common form, and the manner in which they are typically spread. The distinction, particularly from a public health perspective, is that the term STI has a broader range -- meaning those who may become infected through needle sharing, sexual activity, or medical procedures; not necessarily
No medical treatment exists for treating HPV infection other than prevention through education about the dangers of multiple sexual partners and unprotected sex, because HPV infection is transmitted through sexual contact with an infected individual. A vaccine is available, but both its high cost and several elements associated with its rushed approval by the FDA in 2006 suggest that further study is warranted before its wide-scale use, particularly on a mandatory
A., MD, and Mermin, J. (2012). HIV infection and older Americans: The public health perspective. American Journal of Public Health, 102(8), 1516-1526. Cooperman, N.A., Arnsten, J.H., and Klein, R.S. (2007). Current sexual activity and risky sexual behavior in older men with or at risk for HIV infection. AIDS Education and Prevention, 19(4), 321-33. Hutton, H.E., Lyketsos, C.G., Zenilman, J.M., Thompson, R.E., and Erbelding, E.J. (2004). Depression and HIV risk behaviors among patients
Using condoms is also an excellent prevention activity that can also be used (Primary and Secondary HIV Prevention, 2008). Potential obstacles to HIV prevention activities taking place in clinical settings often include: narrow formations of medical care and the role of physicians or health care providers in HIV prevention, a provider's discomfort with discussing human sexuality and illicit drug use and their attitudes towards persons with HIV or AIDS along with