Nursing Intervention for Sexually Transmitted Infection

Essay by geo5 January 2009

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IntroductionIn the recent years, there has been a large increase in the number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the world. The number of people diagnosed with Chlamydia, the most common STI, tripled between 1995 and 2005. STI incidence rates remain high in most of the countries in the world. In 1996, WHO estimated that more than 1 million people were being infected daily. An estimated 340 million new cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, Chlamydia and trichomniasis occurred throughout the world in 1999.

A sexually transmitted infection (STI) or venereal diseases (VD) are transmitted by means of sexual contact, including vaginal intercourse, oral sex and anal sex. Some STIs can also be transmitted via kissing, swapping, accidental needle pricks and as well as through childbirth and breastfeeding. All sexual behaviors that involve contact with another person or the body of another person should be considered to contain some risk of transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.

Most attention has focused on controlling HIV, which causes AIDS, but each STD presents a different situation (Berman, 2006).

In the proceeding discussion, a summary of primary, secondary and tertiary nursing interventions for clients who have or are at risk of sexually transmitted infection are enumerated. A number of nursing cares to promote wellness are also included.

DiscussionThe most effective way to prevent sexual transmission of STIs is to avoid contact of body parts or fluids which can lead to transfer, not necessarily any sexual activity with an infected partner (Shafer, 2006). No contact equals no risk. Ideally both partners should get tested for STIs before initiating sexual contact, or if partner engaged in contact with someone else, but even then, certain STIs, particularly certain persistent viruses like HPV may be impossible to detect with current medical procedures as they may be asymptomatic.