Healthcare Awareness Regarding STD

Approximately 1.1 million persons in the United States currently live with HIV and sexually transmitted diseases, and more than 700,000 people have died of AIDS since the first cases were reported in 1981 (UPSTF, 2019). There were approximately 38,300 new diagnoses of HIV infection in 2017. The estimated prevalence of HIV infection among persons 13 years and older in the United States is 0.4%, and data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show a significant increase in HIV diagnoses starting at age 15. An estimated 8700 women living with HIV give birth yearly in the United States. HIV can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and breastfeeding. Perinatal HIV infection in the United States peaked in 1992 and has declined significantly following routine prenatal HIV screening and effective therapies and precautions to prevent mother-to-child transmission (US Preventive Services Task Force [UPSTF], 2019). In most cases, the body's immune system fights the virus and clears it out before it causes harm. In some women, however, HPV invades cells in the cervix, which causes cervical cancer (UPSTF, 2019).

According to Hogben et al. (2019), the context for sexually transmitted disease (STD) control and prevention in the USA has shifted considerably in recent years, with economic and epidemiological trends and policy directions all playing significant roles. States in the USA operate STD prevention and control programs in health departments under their authority, with some states mediating operations through local health departments (cities or counties). The US CDC (2021) provides funding to STD programs to assist with prevention and control activities in all 50 states. The proportion of total program funding from the CDC varies by state, and the CDC receives data on funded activities' outcomes.

Hogben et al. (2019) illustrated that State governments have been battling budget crises, resulting in cutbacks in state and local government spending. A 2008 survey of STD programs revealed that 69% of STD programs experienced budget cuts, resulting in reductions in STD program workforce and services and reduced STD program capacity. Closure of STD clinics. Meanwhile, some STD prevention and control activities, such as chlamydia screening for sexually active women aged 24 years and younger, may become available more widely. Such conditions may expand the already widening pool of clinicians who provide screening and testing but are not part of the public sector. The expanding role of community health centers in providing preventive and primary care services may also offer new opportunities to situate the provision of STD services within the context of primary care. Many state and city STD prevention programs have sought opportunities to establish new partnerships and expand existing partnerships.

According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2021), chlamydia and gonorrhea are the most common STD after HPV. The number of cases reported for chlamydia was more than 1.7 million in 2017; for gonorrhea, about 555,000 cases. Disturbingly the number of people contracting this STD is escalating to an unprecedented rate. The statistics show that from 2016 to 2017, the increased infection count rose by nearly 19%, which represents a 75% increase since 2009. Chlamydia and gonorrhea often get overlooked because they are known as silent diseases since they rarely cause symptoms. A few symptoms that may occur from the STDs are bleeding between periods, abdominal pain, pain during sex, pain or burning during urination, and a vaginal discharge.

When either of the most common STDs goes untreated, they cause infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease (CDC, 2021). Women have a higher risk of HIV when they are infected with gonorrhea or chlamydia. It is rare for gonorrhea to lead to infections, but it can affect your joints, blood, heart, and other body parts. It is recommended to undergo yearly tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea in sexually active women under 25 years old (CDC, 2021). This also includes women over 25 with a high-risk factor, like having a new partner (CDC, 2021).

For further information, please click the link below for the Sexually Transmitted Infection Treatment Guideline, 2021.

https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/screening-recommendations.htm

References

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). STI Treatment Guidelines. https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/default.htm

Hogben, M., Hood, J., Collins, D., & McFarlane, M. (2013). Assessing the role of prevention partnerships in STD prevention: a review of comprehensive STD prevention systems progress reports. Proquest, 89(7). 1-5. https://doi:10.1136/sextrans-2012-050944

US Preventive Services Task Force. (2019). Screening for HIV infection US preventive services task force recommendation statement. https://chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mdc&AN=31184701&site=ehost-live&scope=site