Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Miami

Introduction

The prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young people remains a significant public health problem in the USA. According to Kassie et al. (2019), previously diagnosed infections, multiple sexual partners, not using condoms, and poor awareness of illnesses are primarily associated with STIs. In this case, one should realize a particular plan to reduce the number of infections among younger generations through population education strategies. This paper aims to create a tentative community teaching plan for the primary prevention of sexually transmitted diseases among adolescents at the school-based health center in Miami, Florida.

Planning Before Teaching

Table 1. Planning Before Teaching

Identification of Focus for Community Teaching

I chose this topic based on the trends and disappointing forecasts of the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among adolescents in Miami. It is necessary to take precise measures to minimize and eliminate such concerns as soon as possible since STDs cause severe damage to young people. (Adolescents and young adults, 2021). The idea arose to create a plan to prevent STDs among youth in connection with this circumstance.

Epidemiological Rationale for Topic

STDs among younger generations have sharply increased in Miami, Florida. Adolescents account for about half of the 26 million new STIs in the US (Adolescents and young adults, 2021). Kreisel et al. (2021) state that the burden of STIs in America is high; approximately half of the STDs occur in youth. Individuals aged 15 to 24 comprise more than 45% of all cases of infections (Kreisel et al., 2021). It is recommended to focus on this particular population group.

Teaching Plan Criteria

Indicators of incidences of STDs among adolescents in Miami are still high. In my opinion, this moment may indicate the ineffectiveness of preventive measures to control the spread of STIs in the country.

Readiness for Learning

Sexual competence and interest in a partner’s body indicate the audience’s readiness to learn. Adolescents should be motivated to acquire knowledge, be in a good emotional state, and have previous training and experience that would allow them to assimilate new information.

Learning Theory to Be Utilized

Albert Bandura’s social learning theory is one of the most acceptable theories for education processes. This theory will be applied based on the need to observe, model, and simulate specific behavior (Mukhalalati et al., 2022).

Goal

Based on Healthy People 2030 (HP2030), “Reduce the number of new HIV infections — HIV‑01” is the goal number that should be fulfilled based on intentions to reduce STDs among adolescents in Miami (Sexually transmitted infections, n.d.). This HP2030 objective correlates with Alma Ata’s Health for All Global Initiatives in preventing and controlling STIs at the micro, meso, and macro levels.

Table 2. Behavioral Objectives, Content, and Learning Activities

Creativity

Creativity based on presentations, videos, interactive games, and role-playing games was applied in the learner activities.

Planned Evaluation of Objectives

Evaluation of the lessons’ effectiveness will be done using the following aspects.

1. Survey: usefulness of transmission simulation;
2. Pre-Tests: knowledge check on the topic.
3. Post-Tests: assessment of lessons learned.
4. Discussion: awareness of STDs and ways to avoid them.

Planned Evaluation of Goal

Evaluation of the overall effectiveness of the presentation can be carried out due to several criteria, such as the content’s transparency and integrity, the ideas’ thoroughness, clarity of voice projection, students’ focus, and much more.

Planned Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Teaching

A discussion, as well as a Q&A session, are effective ways to get feedback from participants.

Barriers

Negative past experiences, personal mindsets, and lack of focus are potential barriers. Consequently, realizing a solid connection with what is taught through relevance for students will help to cope with these barriers.

Therapeutic Communication

Primarily, determining the topic’s importance and relevance are the points with which the beginning of the presentation should be associated. I will operate activities such as discussions and Q&A sessions. In addition, active listening involves waiting for the end of an interlocutor’s speech without interrupting. The conclusion of the presentation is associated with receiving feedback. In this context, visual contact, facial expressions, poses, and gestures are the nonverbal communication methods.

Conclusion

Summarizing the above, it is necessary to state that the idea of developing and executing the plan is associated mainly with spreading of STDs among teenagers in Miami, Florida. Moreover, about half of the young people have serious health problems identified as a result of sexual relations. Hence, special attention is required to this concern on the part of medical specialists through training and education of the particular population group.

References

Adolescents and young adults. (2021). CDC. Web.

Kassie, B. A., Yenus, H., Berhe, R., & Kassahun, E. A. (2019). Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and associated factors among the University of Gondar students, Northwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study. Reproductive Health, 16(163), 1-8. Web.

Kreisel, K. M., Spicknall, I. H., Gargano, J. W., Lewis, F. M., Lewis, R. M., Markowitz, L. E.,… & Weinstock, H. S. (2021). Sexually transmitted infections among US women and men: Prevalence and incidence estimates, 2018. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 48(4), 208-214. Web.

Mukhalalati, B., Elshami, S., Eljaam, M., Hussain, F. N., & Bishawi, A. H. (2022). Applications of social theories of learning in health professions education programs: A scoping review. Frontiers in Medicine, 9(912751), 1-15. Web.

Sexually transmitted infections. (n.d.). Healthy People 2030. Web.