Sexually transmitted infections are passed from person to person through sexual contact. They are also called sexually transmitted diseases or venereal diseases. They may not show symptoms immediately after infection and this makes them easier to pass from one sexual partner to another. There are different forms of STIs depending on what the causative agent is. They may be caused by viruses, bacteria and parasites. Although the main cause of infection is through unprotected sexual contact with an infected person any other contact between an infected person’s body fluids and an open wound in an uninfected person may cause infection. The rise in cases of sexually transmitted infections in the country has prompted a country wide campaign on safe sex methods and abstinence. This program is conducting a study on prevalence of sexually transmitted infections. It has been narrowed down to HPV prevalence in Kansas, the state with the highest reported cases of HPV in the region. HPV is the human papilloma virus and it is known to lead to development of cancers. HPV is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection in the country and it has been found largely in people between the ages of 16 to 25.The center for disease control CDC estimates that at least 80% of the general population may develop a HPV related infection at one point in their life. According to A.H Bakir, the peak incidence for infection is between the age of 20 to 24 during this period this age group is normally very sexually active without having settled for a single stable sexual partner (Bakir, 2015).
Kansas was ranked highest in cases of HPV and HPV related cancer cases. It was also ranked lowest in vaccination rates against the virus. Statistics show that only 21% of teens in Kansas have been vaccinated against the virus and fewer teenagers are willing to get vaccinated than in any other state countrywide. Less than 49% of female teens have been vaccinated against HPV in Missouri and a huge percentage of parents in these states are not even aware that boys too should be vaccinated against the virus (Gutierrez, 2016).These statistics are alarming and they prompted the need for a solution to be found. The target population for this program was young people between the ages of 16 to 25 who are most vulnerable and also have had the highest number of reported infection cases. The health program managements seeks to establish cause of low rates of vaccination, causes of HPV prevalence in the two regions, the opinions of the population, and conduct a study to establish possible long lasting solutions for the problem. This will be accomplished by conducting surveys, handing out questionnaires, together with hosting focus groups to give suggestions of how the issue can be resolved. Some of the main causes of the low rate of vaccination are lack of knowledge of the availability and efficiency of the vaccine. They also cited cost of the vaccination as an obstacle for some families that do not have access to Medicaid (Press, 2016). Parents play a major role in getting their teenagers vaccinated studies have shown that parents are more compliant of the vaccination after a doctor recommends it firsthand.
Mission Goals and Objectives
References
Bakir AH, S. M. (2015). Health Disparities in the Immune prevention of Human Papillomavirus Infection. PubMed .
Graham, J. E., & Mishra, A. (2011). Global challenges of implementing human papillomavirus vaccines. PMC NCBI .
Gutierrez, L. (2016). HPV vaccination rates are low, especially in Kansas and Missouri, and cancer experts are alarmed. Health and fitness.
Press, T. A. (2016). Kansas cancer centers alarmed over low number of HPV vaccinations . cjonline .
