PUBLIC HEALTH: STIs Flashcards
What is meant by R=BCD?
A formula showing what factors contribute to how well an STI will spread
R = reproductive rate of infection
B = infectivity rate, likelihood of transmission in 1 sexual liason
C = partners over time
D = duration of infection, longer increases chances of spread
What primary prevention methods are used to help reduce STI spread?
STI awareness campaigns: adverts, posters, internet
15-20 minute interview by healthcare professional is compulsory for people deemed to be at risk of STIs or under 18 conception
Pre + post exposure prophylaxis for HIV
Treatment as prevention: an HIV+ patient taking medication to reduce risk of spreading it to partner
What is meant by primary, secondary, tertiary prevention?
Primary: reduce risk of acquiring STI in the first place
Secondary: reduce the impact of the STI on the person and other people exposed, i.e. find the people that don’t know they’re infected
Tertiary: reducing morbidity and mortality once infection is established
What secondary prevention methods are used to help reduce STI spread?
Good access to STI clinics:
- welcoming environment
- easily accessible
- without long waiting times
Home sampling kits
Contact tracing
Targeted screening:
- antenatal STI screening
- chlamydia screening
- HIV screening
What tertiary prevention methods are used to help reduce STI spread?
Treatment of STIs
- anti-retrovirals
- drugs to supress genital herpes
What is contact tracing?
A public health activity that aims to control infection by identifying individuals that have been exposed to an STI, warn them and break the chain of infection
Why should we trace contacts?
Break the chain of transmission
Prevent re-infection of your patient
Prevent people from having STIs and not knowing about them:
- spreading infection unwittingly
- being at risk of devastating complications
3 methods of contact tracing?
Patient referral: the patient tells their own partners
Provider referral: the clinic contacts the partners
Conditional/contact referral: agree that patient will attempt to tell their partners, but if they don’t come in after a certain amount of time the clinic does it
Why would a patient not want to opt for patient referral?
Fear or embarrassment or even abuse
How is provider referral done?
Contact the person via text, phone, letter
Even on dating websites
Confidentiality is maintained, but only for the index patient.
True or false?
False, but true for the US
In the UK confidentiality of both parties is maintained
