Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2024
Abstract
Significant Findings: In Fort Bend County, Texas, the rising rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among adolescent girls, especially chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, have become a significant public health and mental health challenge. These infections not only impact physical health, leading to severe outcomes like infertility and increased HIV risk, but also affect mental health, educational attainment, and economic stability (Johnson-Minter et al., 2020; CDC, 2021). Adolescents, particularly young females aged 15-24, disproportionately bear the burden, with social and structural barriers such as stigma, lack of access to healthcare, and inadequate sexual education exacerbating the situation (Garcia et al., 2023; Keller, 2023). The Social-Ecological Model highlights the importance of addressing individual, relational, community, and societal factors to effectively combat this issue. Recommended interventions include enhanced sexual health education, increased accessibility to contraceptives and STI testing, and societal shifts to reduce stigma and improve healthcare accessibility (CDC, n.d.; Keller, 2023). These comprehensive measures aim to empower adolescent girls with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed decisions about their sexual health and reduce STI rates effectively. Objectives/Strategies/Interventions/Next Steps: To effectively address the increasing rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among adolescent girls in Fort Bend County, professionals are recommended to pursue the following structured approach, integrating specific objectives, strategies, interventions, and subsequent steps: First, enhancing sexual health education within schools is crucial. This strategy involves implementing a comprehensive sexual health curriculum covering STI prevention, contraception, and healthy relationship practices. This intervention requires collaboration with local school boards and the Texas Department of Education to integrate evidence-based sexual health education into middle and high school curricula. The next steps involve identifying and training educators to deliver comprehensive sex education, ensuring the content is culturally sensitive and appropriate (Keller, 2023). Second, increasing accessibility to contraceptives and STI testing is vital. This strategy aims to establish more accessible healthcare services within community centers and schools. Intervention includes partnering with local health clinics and organizations like Planned Parenthood to provide free or low-cost contraceptives and STI testing services. Developing mobile health clinics in areas with limited healthcare facilities and coordinating with community leaders to promote these services constitute the subsequent steps (CDC, 2023a). Third, reducing STI stigma and promoting healthy behaviors is essential. This strategy involves launching community awareness campaigns focusing on STI prevention and the importance of testing. Intervention efforts should include collaboration with influential community members and organizations to lead workshops and talks addressing myths and facts about STIs. The following steps include utilizing social media platforms to extend reach and engagement, particularly targeting youth demographics with message-driven content (CDC, 2023c). Fourth, fostering community partnerships for better health outcomes is necessary. This strategy involves partnerships with local non-profits and healthcare providers to support STI prevention efforts. Interventions should include partnering with the Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) to implement group-based comprehensive risk reduction programs tailored for adolescents. Regular evaluation of program effectiveness and strategies adaptation based on participant feedback and ongoing research are crucial next steps (USA.gov, 2023). Finally, advocating for policy change to support STI prevention is imperative. This strategy involves advocacy to influence public policy supporting comprehensive sexual health education and services. This intervention includes working with local and state policymakers to ensure funding for STI prevention programs and protect minors' rights to access health services without parental consent. Monitoring legislative changes, maintaining active dialogue with policymakers, and participating in advocacy groups focused on public health issues affecting adolescents are essential next steps (MSJCC, 2015). By focusing on education, accessibility, community engagement, and policy advocacy, these initiatives can lead to significant improvements in public health outcomes for this vulnerable population. This structured approach offers a holistic and effective method for tackling the high rates of STIs among adolescent girls in Fort Bend County.
