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The Role Of The Professional Nurse In Relation To Sti`s

The Role of the Professional Nurse in Relation to Sexually Transmitted Infections
Introduction
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have been described as “a major public health problem in Europe” (Fenton & Lowndes, 2004, p. 255). There is evidence that there is an increasing number of persons infected with STIs in the UK (Fenton & Lowndes, 2004; Cassell et al., 2006), and primary health care and specialist clinics play a significant role in the diagnosis and treatment of these infections (Cassell et al., 2006). STIs pose a significant public health problem not least of all because many of the most common infections have few or no visible symptoms (Weinstock, Berman & Cates, 2004). In addition, if left untreated, STIs such as Chlamydia and gonorrhoea may lead to complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease. This then may create lasting health problems such as pelvic pain and ectopic pregnancy (Silva et al., 2007). The professional nurse plays a significant role in prevention and treatment of STIs. This essay examines the various roles of the nurse in STI prevention and treatment strategies.
Role as Educator
There are a number of public health strategies which may be pursued in order to address the current situation with regard to STIs. In particular, it has been identified that proactive public health promotion is likely to be one of the most beneficial tools in addressing the current levels of STIs identified in the UK and the rest of Europe (Fenton & Lowndes, 2004). For example, condom usage has been shown to significantly reduce the risk to both men and women of a number of different STIs including Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, herpes, syphilis and HIV/AIDS (Holmes, Levine & Weaver, 2004). This is therefore one of the most common public health strategies which is pursued, in a number of different locations including schools, GP surgeries, specialist clinics and hospitals.
It may be the role of nurses to ensure that patients are aware of appropriate...