Perceptions of sexually transmitted diseases among teenagers

Abstract

An ex p lo ra to ry d e sc rip tiv e study was u n d e rtak en , focussing on sexually transmitted diseases (STD) among teenagers. The aim of the study was to explore and describe the possible reasons for the high rate of sexually transmitted diseases in teenagers. The perceptions of teenagers and community nurses regarding sexually transmitted disease among teenagers involved in the teenage clinic in a specific predominantly black area were assessed. Twenty teenagers and five community nurses were participants in the study. Two focus group interviews were conducted with teenagers and community nurses. It can be concluded that the attitudes of community nurses may have an influence on the high rate of sexually transmitted diseases among teenagers. The knowledge o f the teenagers about sexually transmitted diseases is often based on myths and misconceptions which could be intensified by the community nurse.<br /> The recommendations made are that the education standards of all community nurses should be reviewed and adapted to meet the needs of teenagers attending the teenage health services. The policy on in-service training must be reviewed and monitored. Community nurses’ intensive training on teenage health service delivery and sexually transmitted diseases services should be in accordance with the principles of Primary Health Care. Community nurses need to attend intensive courses on interpersonal skills specifically related to teenagers. Selection procedures for recruiting community nurses to attend to teenagers specifically should be researched. Teenagers should be involved in planning programs and the teenage clinic should be evaluated frequently to improve the standards. The availability of adequate teenage health services can result in a decrease in sexually transmitted diseases among teenagers

Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Services and Implications for the Provision of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision: Results of a Systematic Literature Review

“…Structural barriers to SRH service-seeking highlighted by male adolescents included clinics’ limited operating hours coinciding with school and work hours and an unwelcoming atmosphere for adolescent clients [ 30 – 33 ]. In one study in Botswana, afternoon and evening hours were recommended by male and female adolescent clients [ 31 ].…”

“…Across studies, health providers’ disregard for privacy [ 19 , 39 – 44 , 48 ], their expressions of negative judgment of adolescents seeking services [ 19 , 32 , 40 , 41 , 43 , 44 , 48 , 57 , 58 ], and general “lack of respect” for or desire to be approached by youth [ 33 , 66 ] indicate some health care workers in sub-Saharan Africa have attitudes and beliefs impeding their ability to meet the needs of adolescent clients. Furthermore, adolescent patients in a study in Uganda reported feeling rushed by providers during service [ 41 ].…”

Can I get pregnant from oral sex? Sexual health misconceptions in e-mails to a reproductive health website

“…Moreover, analyses of abstinence-only curricula have found that, in addition to withholding information from adolescents, they often contain misleading or altogether inaccurate medical information on disease risk and pregnancy rates [9]. Young people are particularly susceptible to myths about sexuality and reproductive health in many different cultural contexts [1–3,10–15]. In a national environment in which the government promotes abstinence from sexual activity until marriage as the only way to prevent pregnancy and transmission of sexually transmitted infections, it is perhaps not very surprising that writers would worry about the pregnancy risk entailed in an act of oral sex, or ask for help in understanding how the “entire sexual thing works,” or be confused about what constitutes protected sex.…”

Educational Curricula and Programs in Adolescent Medicine for Health Workers in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review

“…23 Two additional articles described qualitative research performed in Africa that discussed the role of training health care workers in AM. Diale and Roos 24 described a qualitative study that found that condescending and negative provider attitudes were a serious barrier to care for adolescents with STIs; they laid out steps for educating community nurses in communication. O'Malley et al 25 explained an innovative study utilizing picture books and cartoons for disclosure of HIV status to HIV-infected children.…”