| Sexually
Transmitted Diseases (STD's) continue to be among the most important
public health problems in the United States. In
Lee County, Florida, the STD Program provides laboratory tests, physical examinations,
treatment for STD’s, partner notification, Family Planning Services and Confidential
and Anonymous HIV counseling and testing.
All at-risk and infected clients receive counseling and health
education to reduce their risk and increase their risk ability to intervene in disease
transmission.
|
Components
of the STD Program are:
- Surveillance: Disease surveillance includes data
collection and analysis. Through case reporting, Lee County Health Department personnel
can monitor morbidity levels (the number of cases occurring) and identify disease
problems.
- Case Detection Through Clinic and Street Outreach
Screenings:
- Screening is another method of case finding and can identify areas in
which the incidence of infection is high.
- Diagnosis and Treatment: Patients are diagnosed and
treated confidentially by private physicians, in hospitals, or in public clinics.
- Case Follow-up: One method used to detect untreated,
unreported, or undetected cases of disease in the community is to track the course of
infection from one person to another. The purpose of this approach is to identify
individuals and to refer them for medical assessment. Of all the STD control elements, the
follow-up of patients yields the greatest disease intervention result.
- Family Planning Services: Each female of child
bearing age examined at the STD Clinic is offered family planning services, such as birth
control pills, latex condoms, foam, etc).
- HIV Testing and Counseling: The STD Clinic offers
confidential HIV testing and counseling to each clinic client.
- Patient Education: Provides knowledge about
STD’s, possibly assisting in modifying behavior and motivating individuals to receive
services more rapidly.
-
All patients seen in
the STD clinic who are 25-39 years of age will be offered Hepatitis B
vaccine, free of charge.
Useful Links:
UNSPEAKABLE - The Naked Truth About STDs - Pfizer
STD Awareness:
www.std-awareness.com
HPV Awareness:
www.hpv-awareness.com |
