Importance of STD and Contraceptive Education Programs in Schools

Adrian Ann Lambert

NSG 490
Dr. Strunk
May 5, 2014

Importance of STD and Contraceptive Education Programs in Schools 2

The purpose of this paper is to create a program that can be initiated into the school
system that focuses on the topic of STDs and contraceptives. This is an extremely vital topic in
the school system today because it is much more than just sexual health education. It serves as a
way to aid in the emotional and physical well-being of the youth of the United States (Mandal,
2014). When adolescents are not exposed to sex education, sexually transmitted disease
information, and information dealing with contraceptives, one could see that there would be a
very uneducated youth population on the topic of sexual health. When the students are properly
educated on the risks of STDs and the benefits of contraceptives, one would see an educated
group of individuals who are emerging into society with the right information to guide them
through life. A program that focuses solely on the topic of sexually transmitted diseases and
contraceptives would be beneficial in the school system today because it would help integrate
into the minds of todays youth the importance of maintaining a healthy sexual life so that the
other aspects of their life are in balance as well.
The history of sexually transmitted diseases is a long history. Sexually transmitted
diseases have been around for centuries and it does not look like they are going anywhere
anytime soon. When STDs first started surfacing, there was no knowledge on the topic so
individuals could not prevent the spread of the infections. Before it could be stopped or treated,
the infections were widespread because of everyones lack of knowledge and understanding on
the topic of sexually transmitted diseases (Mandal, 2014).
During medieval times in Europe, the two major STDs to surface were syphilis and
gonorrhea. It has been suggested that syphilis was spread by the passengers on the ships coming
with Christopher Columbus. The same is said to be true for gonorrhea. The sailors on the Cook
voyages are responsible for the spread of this disease from Tahiti to New Zealand. Individuals

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began to notice something was different about these types of diseases when people began to
hallucinate, have speech problems, and die untimely, morbid deaths (Mandal, 2014).
There were no treatments during the earlier times for STDs but at the beginning of the
18th and 19th centuries the use of mercury, arsenic, and sulphur was used to try to alleviate some
of the complications from the infections. Unfortunately these treatments did not last long because
people soon began to see that giving people mercury caused mercury poisoning. Also, the side
effects from the other treatments caused severe side effects for the patient. In 1910, one of the
first known treatments for syphilis came out, which was arsphenamine. With the 20th century,
came the use of penicillin and other antibiotics that led to effective curing of the sexual
infections seen at the time (Mandal, 2014).
For the school program, it would be beneficial to give a brief overview of the history of
STDs to give the students a general knowledge of where these types of diseases came from and
how easily and quickly they were spread throughout society. The correlation between how it was
spread then and how it is spread now should be used to strike a spark in the minds of the students
that STDs are harmful infections that affect different parts of the human body (Brewin et al.,
2014).
Some general risk factors of sexually transmitted diseases include cancer, reproductive
health problems, fetal health/birth complications, and the sexual transmission of HIV infection
(Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 2013). Sexually transmitted diseases are the cause of
infertility for 24,000 females in the United States. This is important because according to
Healthy People 2020 (2013), there are about 19 million new STD cases arising each year. The
age group this applies to are the 15-24 year olds. According to Kirby and Laris (2009), 48% of
adolescent males and females are having sex by the age of 16. There are not only health risks to

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STDs but there are financial risks as well (2012 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Surveillance,
2014). Sexually transmitted diseases cost the United States healthcare system $15.9 billion
dollars a year (Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 2013).
To compare and contrast my program ideas and set-up it is important to bring to light the
other programs that do exist. A program that is inviting and focuses on community is
ESPERANZA. This program truly aims at the grit of the population not only by being
community based, but because it is run by peers of the community who make it a safe place to
learn about sex and STDs. ESPERANZA has a goal of promoting academic success, helping set
career goals, and letting students be a part of democratic civic action in the community
(Ashcraft, 2008).
ESPERANZA highlights what I would like my program to do. It would be ideal for my
program to be started by myself but as the student body begins to accumulate into the program, I
would like to make a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and a Historian. It would
start as a program but the idea would be that it would expand as a club that everyone sees
important in the school system. I believe this approach would get students more involved
because it is something they have control over. This serves to make the education of STDs and
sexual health not as dull.
Some important diseases to focus on for my program would be the ones that target our
youth the most and the risks associated with each. Not only are these points important to focus
on but the way in which one could prevent the spread, which would be contraceptives. It is
important to also understand that any of the following STDs can infect male or female. STDs are
not prejudiced against certain sexes. Human Papillomavirus, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV are
especially prevalent among the younger generation. It would be beneficial to include information

Importance of STD and Contraceptive Education Programs in Schools 5

directed towards the statistics of the infections, how easily they can be received and transferred,
and treatment methods (Workowski and Berman, 2007).
Currently, human papillomavirus is the most common STD in the United States. It is
passed via oral, vaginal, or anal sex with someone who has the virus. It is true that HPV can go
away on its own but when it does not, it poses severe potential risks for those infected. It can
cause genital warts and cancer. These genital warts usually can be characterized as a group of
bumps around the genital area that can not only be bumpy but can be small, large, flat, or raised.
It is important to look for all signs so one can be aware. One of the most important things to keep
in mind about HPV is that it does, in fact, cause cancer. It causes cervical cancer in women and
other cancers in men. Over 10,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with cervical
cancer every year. Both genders are at risk. It is extremely important that women are checking
into their reproductive/genital health because at some point a woman may bear children. It is
important to get frequent cervical cancer screenings before and during this time to protect both
mother and child (Workowski and Berman, 2007).
Chlamydia is an important STD to be informed about because most people do not even
know they have the disease because they fail to have symptoms. It is recommended that all
sexually active females who are 25 years old or younger should be tested every year. Although it
is easy to cure chlamydia, that does not mean there are no risks. Women who are left untreated
will find it difficult to get pregnant. It is seen to cause failure to get pregnant and also increases a
womans chance of having an ectopic pregnancy. If you have a successful pregnancy, you can
transfer this infection over to your child during childbirth when the fetal membranes are broken
(STD Facts, 2014).

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Gonorrhea is another important STD to touch base on in the program because absolutely
anyone who is sexually active can be infected with it. When it is left untreated, serious problems
arise. It can be detected in the vagina, anus, or the throat. To prevent oneself from getting this it
would be ideal to use latex condoms or dental dams each and every time you have sexual
intercourse. This can also be avoided with abstinence. With gonorrhea, females normally do not
have any symptoms and when they do, they are mild. Such symptoms would include a mild
vaginal or bladder infection, burning when urinating, or vaginal bleeding between periods. For
males, it burns when urinating and they should look for a white, yellow, or green discharge
coming from the penis (STD Facts, 2014).
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. With this, it has been found that mixedoriented black women hold the highest risk (Mojola and Everett, 2012). Once infected with HIV,
it can stay dormant for a long time in your body cells and then attacks your important infection
fighting cells: T cells or CD4 cells. HIV has the potential to kill enough CD4 cells that your body
can no longer fight infections. This is when HIV can turn into AIDS, which is Acquired
Immunodeficiency Syndrome. This is the last stage of the HIV infection that puts an individual
at high risk for opportunistic infections. It is easily passed along from sexual partner to sexual
partner because it not only lives in body fluids, such as, blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, vaginal
fluid, and anal mucous, but it reproduces there, as well. This is why 1 out of 6 people are infected
but are not aware and over 1.1 million people 13 years and older in the United States have HIV
(HIV/AIDS Basics, 2014).
The young age of 13 strikes me as bizarre for children and teens to be exposed to such
diseases and infections. At this age, adolescents are going through Eriksons Identity vs. Role
Confusion stage. It is such a sensitive and vulnerable state because this is a time where they are

Importance of STD and Contraceptive Education Programs in Schools 7

trying to find themselves and place their identity into the world. When they succeed in doing so,
it allows them to be who they are. However, if they were to contract an STD at such a young age,
it may come as a failure to them. This would lead to the other half of the Erikson stage: Role
Confusion. This would be such a difficult time for the adolescent to deal with, especially
emotionally, the fact they have an STD because of a poor sexual decision. Such a decision,
would lead to a weak identity because they are failing to develop their own self. All of this
could be prevented if the youth of today would be properly educated on the use and obtaining of
contraception.
It is important to understand how to protect yourself from these sexually transmitted
diseases. There are a variety of ways to do so via the various forms of contraception and
abstinence. Different types of contraceptives used among teens and adults include implants, the
pill, Ortho Evra patch, Depo-Provera shot, sponge, NuvaRing, cervical cap, spermicide,
diaphragm, and male and female condom. Most of these options are to prevent pregnancy but
there are two of these that protect against STDs as well. The only two are the female and male
condom. The only way to prevent yourself from getting an STD is to use a condom every single
time you have sexual intercourse. Otherwise, you leave yourself at risk for an STD. It is also
important to note that condoms do tear. If they are too tight or too loose, you are also at risk
because they either have the potential to tear or fall off. Therefore, leaving you exposed to an
STD if the individual is infected. The same goes for your own sexual health. You should protect
your partner as well and get an STD test at a local clinic (STD Facts, 2014).
I believe it would be important to incorporate what the different methods of contraception
not only are but how they work into this program. This is an important topic to touch base on
because according to Guttmacher (2014), one third of the teen population does not want nor uses

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a contraceptive (Beadle, 2012). This is a problem in the teen community because when a birth
control method is not in place, an unplanned pregnancy or an unwanted STD could be the
outcome. Unplanned pregnancy is an important discussion area as well for this program because
it happens more than we would like for our youth. It is detected that teen sexual activity rapidly
increases with
age. Male and
female
percentages
who have had
sexual
intercourse by
a certain age
remains close
but normally
males have
sexual contact
before females. According to Guttmacher (2014), this is especially true of the thirteen year old
age group.
Teen moms and dads normally do not have the resources available to take care of a
newborn. Also, at this age, they are usually not mentally or emotionally developed enough to
nurture the child in the correct manner. In these situations, it is the child who suffers the biggest
consequence because they are helpless to the situation. Understanding how vital these

Importance of STD and Contraceptive Education Programs in Schools 9

contraceptive tools are for the teen community, in all aspects of the sexual reproduction realm,
would help them see the
bigger picture.
Obtaining
contraception should not
be an embarrassing thing.
It is an embarrassing
thing, because society
makes it. Society has a
pre-conceived idea of
when adolescents should
be having sex. I believe it
is important to teach students in this program the strategy when buying contraception and
understanding both male and female partners are responsible for purchasing safe sex methods.
It is relatively easy to obtain safe sex methods that prevent the spread of STDs. The first
option for teens would be to go to their local clinic. They usually give out free condoms and sex
pamphlets. Understanding this may be hard to go to their local clinic, they could go to another
clinic in another county if embarrassment and exposure is the concern. It is also easy to go to a
store and obtain almost any brand for both male and female.
This program I would like to implement in schools, Importance of STD and
Contraceptive Education Program, is a growing issue. Students are growing up faster than ever
before and are not being exposed to sex education. This is why the STD and teen birth rate has
escalated. If teens were exposed to this information before and while they are in the middle

Importance of STD and Contraceptive Education Programs in Schools 10

school years, it would be beneficial because a large amount of students are not exposed to sex
knowledge at home. Some parents are afraid to talk to them about it so they begin to make their
own assumptions on the issue. My program would be beneficial to students because it is putting
the information out there for them at a young age so they know the facts if and when a pressuring
situation arises.
It would be my mission as a school nurse to educate as many students as possible on the
topic of sex education and contraception use. A parent consent form could be implemented and
sent home to approve that their child can participate in the program. I would make available a
night that parents could come to an orientation and interact in the same program as their child
would.
Sexual education is more than learning about STDs, unplanned pregnancy, and
contraceptive methods. It is about students learning how to grow and thrive as they become
responsible adults. It is about becoming independent individuals who realize there is a problem
and want to be the group going out into society to help advocate a healthy sex life.

References
2012 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Surveillance. (2014, January 17) Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. Retrieved April 23, 2014 from http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats12/.
Ashcraft, C. (2008). So Much More than Sex Ed: Teen Sexuality as Vehicle for Improving
Academic Success and Democratic Education for Diverse Youth. American Educational

Importance of STD and Contraceptive Education Programs in Schools 11

Research Journal, Vol. 45(3), p631-667. Retrieved from

http://eds.b.ebscohost.com/eds/detail?vid=2&sid=abb87b86-1e6d-41f3-9cece3e704dad334%40sessionmgr111&hid=115&bdata=JkF1dGhUeXBlPWlwLGNvb2tpZS
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Mandal, Ananya. (2014, April 15). History of Sexually Transmitted Disease. News Medical.
Retrieved from http://www.news-medical.net/health/History-of-Sexually-TransmittedDisease.aspx.

Importance of STD and Contraceptive Education Programs in Schools 12

Mojola, S.A. & Everett, B. (2012). STD and HIV Risk Factors Among U.S. Young Adults:
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