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10.5.1 The Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) |
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Louisiana Statewide Transition Project and Louisiana: Healthy and Ready to Work Fact Sheet Series |
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7/9/99 |
I. WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Sexuality is a natural part of life. For all
adolescents, the transition to adulthood involves deeper, more personal
relationships. Sexual relationships are no exception. By having open and
informative discussions about sexuality with young adults, families and service
providers can help them have healthy and fulfilling adult relationships. There
are more than 20 sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that affect 12 million
Americans each year; most cases involve people under age 30. STDs can seriously
compromise the health of young adults, or even kill them. Therefore, young
adults need information about preventing STDs.
II. KEY POINTS
The U.S. National Commission on AIDS has made
several recommendations concerning educational approaches for HIV prevention in
adolescents, which are also applicable to STD education programs:
·
HIV (and STD) prevention
programs should include information, examination of values and attitudes, skill
building such as decision-making, negotiation, and refusal, and information on
accessing health care and social services.
·
School-based HIV (and
STD) education should be presented as part of a comprehensive health science
education curriculum that begins in elementary school, includes sexuality
education, and teaches general prevention skills.
·
Schools and other
youth-serving institutions should select curricula and teaching strategies that
have been shown to be effective by evaluation.
·
Parents and young adults
should be involved in the development of prevention programs.
·
HIV (and STD) prevention
programs must be culturally sensitive, developmentally appropriate,
nonjudgmental in approach, repeated, sustained over time, and complemented with
efforts to change behaviors and to empower individuals.
·
Utilizing peers as
educators can be valuable if combined with other approaches in a comprehensive
program.
·
Prevention efforts that
are limited to instilling fear or that omit important information will not
facilitate healthy behavior or sustain risk reduction.
·
Abstinence messages,
such as postponing sexual activity, should be included, and young adults that
choose abstinence should be supported.
·
Information and skill
enhancement about methods of HIV/STD prevention other than abstinence, such as
use of condoms, should be included. This information is needed immediately by
sexually active young adults and also by some who will be active in the future.
·
Educational strategies
dealing with prevention must be dealt with in a manner acceptable to the
community. However, withholding complete prevention information can place young
adults at risk for HIV/STD.
Studies have shown that increasing knowledge
about STDs may not always change risky behaviors. Attention to other individual
traits related to HIV/STD avoidance, such as perceptions of vulnerability to
disease, peer behavior, beliefs about the value of prevention behavior,
recognition of high- risk behavior, and valuing oneself are considered
necessary.
New data from the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) suggests that a simple change in HIV and STD counseling
across the nation could make a tremendous difference in slowing the spread of
HIV and other STDs. Researchers found that when counselors discussed prevention
strategies and encouraged their use with people at risk (rather than simply
providing a lecture on HIV prevention), it significantly reduced their risk of
STDs.
Students/Young Adults:
Young adults must recognize that adult
responsibilities come with adult relationships. They should find a trusted
adult to talk to about their relationships and the many ups and downs
associated with them. By taking things slowly and talking about issues that
arise, young adults are better prepared to make major decisions regarding their
personal relationships.
If a young adult believes he/she has a STD or
has been exposed to a STD, he/she should seek medical attention immediately.
Health care providers, family planning clinics, state or local health
departments, and local hospitals can provide confidential testing and
information.
Young adults should make sure that they have
the information they need in order to make informed, healthy decisions about their
relationships, including sexual relationships. They can request that this
information be shared at meetings at which the transition to adulthood is
discussed. They can also be a part of efforts to make others aware of the
dangers of STDs. Finally, they should strive to associate with peers who will
support them in their efforts to maintain safe, healthy relationships. Choosing
appropriate friends is a major part of being an adult!
Families:
Although it can be difficult, families must
address sexuality issues with young adults. Families should encourage
participation in activities with other young adults at school and in the
community so that a variety of relationships may be formed. Encouraging young
adults to seek out and form relationships with peers who also wish to maintain
safe and healthy relationships can make a big difference.
It is important that family members educate
themselves about the causes and symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases
(STDs). Parents cannot assume an adolescent or young adult will confide in
them. If they suspect their sons/daughters have STDs, it is vital to help them
seek medical attention. Parents should assume an active role in educating
adolescents and young adults about STDs, as well as about methods to prevent
STDs. Doctors or other health care professionals can be called upon to help
share information.
As a part of the transition planning process,
families should seek information specific to adults with disabilities and
sexuality. There are resources available through parent groups, advocacy
groups, and on the Internet that will help families explore this issue. By
becoming informed, families may be better prepared to support young adults in
their personal relationships.
Most importantly, families must
recognize young adults as young adults with needs for close personal
relationships. By being open to frank discussions about adult relationships,
families can support young adults in their journey towards healthy adult
relationships.
Agencies:
Agency personnel must understand that it is
essential for adolescents and young adults with disabilities to have access to
education and information about the causes and prevention of STDs.
Agency personnel must also help foster
relationships between young adults and their peers. By supporting opportunities
for young adults to be included in social activities within the community,
service providers can ensure that the skills needed for successful adult
relationships are learned.
Interpersonal relationships are a vital part
of life. Local Education Agencies (LEAs) should make sure that relationship and
sexuality issues are discussed during transition planning in order to better
prepare young adults to engage in healthy, safe, and fulfilling adult
relationships.
IV. RESOURCES/CONTACTS
Families Helping Families Regional Offices
Acadiana: 800-378-9854
Bayouland: 800-331-5571
At the Crossroads: 800-259-7200
Greater Baton Rouge: 888-511-5299
Greater New Orleans: 800-766-7736
Northeast LA: 888-300-1320
Northshore: 800-383-8700
Northwest LA: 888-989-0315
Southwest LA: 800-894-6558
Children's Special Health Services
Acadian Region: 504-265-5816
Capitol Region: 225-342-4713
Central Region: 318-487-5266
Northeast Region: 318-362-5486
Northwest Region: 318-676-7488
Southeast Region: 504-222-4593
Southwest Region: 318-475-8742
Teche Region: 318-447-0896
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Rd., NE
Atlanta, GA 30333
800-311-3435
Internet: http://www.cdc.gov
Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention
Indiana University
801 East Seventh St.
Bloomington, IN 47405-3085
Voice and TDD: (812) 855-1718 or
(800) 566-8644
Internet: http://www.indiana.edu/~aids/
The National STD Hotline
1-800-227-8922
V. REFERENCES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
(1998). Guidelines for Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. MMWR
1998;47. No. RR-1, pp.1 5.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
(1998). What are Sexually Transmitted Diseases? p. 1.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
Division of STD Prevention. (1996, November). The Challenge of STD
Prevention in the United States. pp. 1 - 4.
Rural
Center for AIDS/STD Prevention (1994). Behavior Change Models For Reducing
HIV/STD Risk. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University. [Available via Internet
at www.indiana.edu/~aids/]
Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of STD Prevention. (1999). Most
Definitive Study to Date on Effectiveness of HIV Counseling and Testing Finds
Significant Reduction in Sexually Transmitted Diseases Counters Previous
Beliefs on Approach to Prevention. [Available via Internet at:
http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/dstd/Reports_ Publications/Project_Respect.htm]