Schuiling and Likis (2013) state that preventing, identifying, and managing STIs are essential components of women’s health care. Women are more susceptible to acquire a STI than men. The vagina has a larger amount of genital …show more content…
Approximately 19 million new STIs occur in the United States every year (Schuiling & Likis, 2013). STIs may result in infertility, ectopic pregnancy, increased risk of transmission of and acquiring HIV, if not treated early (Hoover et al, 2015). Therefore, it is crucial advanced practice nurses understand the importance of preventing and screening for STIs so the infection is diagnosed early and treated so transmission does not occur. Additionally, STIs result in large health care expenditures in the United States, costing about sixteen billion dollars annually in direct medical costs (Hoover et al., …show more content…
The clinic provided care mainly to young people of color from urban backgrounds with low income and little to no insurance. After the nurse practitioner had the participant sign consent, the Sexual Health History Calendar was given. After completion, the nurse practitioner reviewed the information with the participant adding clarity or additional information as well as demographic questions: seven state-required reporting questions, and four follow-up questions specific to the Sexual Health History Calendar. Approximately eighty-nine percent of participants completed the calendar without difficulty. Some participants, (about seven percent), did not complete due to distractions or lack of privacy. The remaining participants (about 4%) did not fill out the calendar, but did answer the questions verbally.
The study found five themes arise from the data; patient insight, patient-provider interaction, provider 's direct comparisons of the Sexual Health History Calendar with other survey instruments and how each impacted the patient session and implemented challenges, and provider strategies and vision being proactive or reactive (Fisher & Boudreau,