Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) are one of the most common and preventable health care problems in the world. The ageism of the population and the increase in the number of older adults, along with healthcare advances that provide better and longer quality of life, has encourage changes in sexuality amongst older adults. This increase has prompted healthcare workers to familiarize themselves with the sexuality of older adults. In this report, I plan to discuss the significance of this topic, the concern for the public, and interventions that can be implemented from a Community Health Nurse prospective.
The term Sexually Transmitted Disease refers to a vast amount of infectious organisms that include viruses and bacteria which are transmitted primarily through sexual intercourse. Modes of transmission also include non-sexual activities such as needles sharing during drug use, blood transfusions and vertical transmission from mother to child. STD surveillance and prevention measures are often geared towards adolescent and young adult populations, thus leaving the older adult population unrecognized and vulnerable.
The challenges that this population faces are directly related to psychosocial, physiological, economic and behavioral factors. Challenges such as these can cause serious obstacles for the prevention of STDs due to their influence on access to care, willingness to seek treatment, and social behaviors regarding sexuality. Often older adults are looked at as
STDs, are also known as venereal diseases, is a term that refers to more than 50 diseases and syndromes which have been transmitted through the exchange of body fluids such as semen, vaginal fluid, and blood. All though you can contract some STDs, such as herpes and/or HPV, by kissing, caressing, and/or direct contact with infected areas. STDs can be
Now that I have talked about how people can protect themselves from STD's, let's talk about the different kinds of sexually transmitted diseases. There are eight common disease on the rise which are stated in the book titled, Straight Talk About Sexually Transmitted Diseases, written by Michael Brodman, John Thacker, and Rachel Kranz. It lists the top eight to be: Chlamdia, Gonorrhea, Genital Warts, Genital Herpes, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), Hepatitis, Syphilis, and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). I'm sure everyone has heard of the most publicized one, AIDS, and I am sure most people have heard of some of the other ones, and I am also sure that a lot of people are not educated about theses diseases. I am going to talk a little about each one so people can see that sex does not only mean enjoyment, or getting pregnant, it also means there's
Sexually transmitted infections are a very current, modern day health care issue. These infections are passed during unprotected genital, anal or oral sex. There are sometimes symptoms of the various infections however there are some infections that can also be symptom free and therefore can go undetected for quite some time. Young people in the UK typically aged 15-24 have the highest rates of sexually transmitted infections. There is a link between this age group and those living in socioeconomically deprived areas, suggesting these particular regions need better and easier access to healthcare services in order to detect, treat and avoid further spreading and damage caused by the infections. Raising awareness of the causes of each infection and symptoms is vital. The most common types of infections are: Chlamydia, Genital herpes and warts, gonorrhea,
Over one million cases of Chlamydia were reported to the CDC in 2013. Despite this large number of reports it actually was a decrease by 1.5% since 2012 (CDC, 2014). Epidemiology statistics showed an increase in reported syphilis, including congenital. Other sexually transmitted diseases can pose higher risks for acquiring HIV. According to new studies, HIV is growing faster in populations that are over 50 versus 40 years and younger (BenRose, 2014). Factors may play a role in this such as higher divorce rates, new medications, and safe sex measures. Therefore, it is important for the healthcare provider screen for sexual activity and any change in sexual partners to provide routine testing when necessary and education on preventive
Next, a very useful way to stay STD free is to know your status. Most students today have no clue they are infected and unknowingly pass it on to partners or spouses. The government has made available health clinics where check up’s to know your status on STD’s are free. Clinics are also places where treatment can be given, if a certain STD is found and is treatable. Many students are embarrassed or scared to know their status and would rather just live their lives, not knowing their status. This mindset among citizens is very selfish, which can lead to the danger of others. In the sense of a woman knowing her status, she will be able to determine if birth is still an option if a certain STD has affected her fertility. Offspring’s are also kept safe, so parents can make wise decisions on whether diseases would be passed on off
"Approximately four million teens get a sexually transmitted disease every year" (Scripps 1). Today’s numbers of sexually active teens differ greatly from that of just a few years ago. Which in return, projects that not only the risk of being infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD) has risen, but the actual numbers of those infected rise each year as well. These changes have not gone unnoticed. In fact have produced adaptations as to how society educates its young adults about sex, using special programs, various advertising, and regulating sexual education courses in public schools. One major adaptation is the advancement and availability of
Lifelong sexual health for adolescents requires this vulnerable population have information about and access to affordable, youth-friendly, and culturally competent sexual healthcare services. In addition, the providers of these sexual healthcare services should be trained to respect privacy and support these teens in making individualized choices that are appropriate for them. As evidenced by the rate of STIs and unplanned pregnancy among marginalized youth populations, barriers such as stigma, discrimination, lack of knowledgeable providers, cost burden,
The passage of many STDs such as gonorrhea, genital herpes, human papillomavirus infection, HIV/AIDS, chlamydia, and syphilis are caused mainly by unprotected sex, however few rare cases have been known to be spread through osculation, without social standards in place to enforce the views of a structural functionalist, social or “pleasure sex” will continue to be widely abused and unprotected.
Further, the primary prevention of STDs is assessing behavior risk, which place he/she at risk of acquisition or transmission of the infection. Second, heath-care providers must routinely address risk of unsafe sex by interviewing and counseling with respect, compassion, and non-judgmental behavior. Using open ending questions techniques and by reinforcing that condoms are the best option of defense and prevention of STDs. Unfortunately, some older adults with diagnosis of a STD are not able to benefit from medications treatment due to they are embarrassed; it strike as surprising because some of the STDs have no symptoms until permanent damage has strike; therefore, it is imperative that healthcare providers initiate the dialogue. Times are different and growing older is not stereotype of impotence or less sex activities, which is a recipe for increase STDs (King et al,
According to the World Health Organization, sexually transmitted infections may be defined as infections that are spread primarily through person-to-person sexual contact. There are more than 30 different sexually transmissible bacteria, viruses and parasites.
In addition, the sex lives of older adults was long ignored and lacked in study, but is receiving the attention due to some astounding statistics. Rates of STDs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis have doubled for the older people in their fifties, sixties, seventies in the past decade due to the lack of information
Since 2008, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia have remained at their highest rates as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) for age groups from 15 to 24 (CDC, 2013). Furthermore, the prevalence of STIs is higher among females (CDC, 2013).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2017), although sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, can affect people, regardless of age, they
Teenagers make up about one third of the STD infected people in the United States,
Sexually transmitted diseases are known as STDs or STIs, which stands for sexually transmitted infections. STDs and STIs are infectious diseases that spread from person to person through intimate contact. STDs affect guys and girls of all ages and backgrounds who are having sex, including oral and anal sex, and having skin to skin contact with an infected area or sore. Common STDs include Genital Herpes, Genital Warts, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis A, B, and C.