Policy Priority Issue: Sexual Transmitted Infections In College-Aged Adults
Whether nursing, at the bedside or administration, health care policy impacts all practice. Health care policy umpires the type of health care who, what, where, when at what cost(Mason, Gardner, Outlaw, & O'Grady, 2016). Some advance practice nurses take on the responsible of becoming involved in healthcare policy to become decision-makers. Many decide to become involved also to make healthier society, become an advocate for nurses, and to increase positive patient outcomes.
Rehabilitation of the healthcare system is significant and assistance from nurses is essential in advocating for healthcare changes. Advocacy involving nursing frequently to inspect issues regarding workplace safety, nurse/patient ratio, the scope of practice, and malpractice liability (Mason et al. , 2016).
Advance practice nurses are very impressive advocates at the state and federal levels of the government (Mason et al. , 2016). Advocacy is an integral part of nursing. Although it is part of nursing, formal advocacy training is not offered in some nursing programs. Because of this, nurses depend on others or colleagues to become strong advocates. The advance nurse practice is formally educated and trained on becoming strong advocates for nurses on state and federal levels, for example, advocating for prevention of Sexual Transmitted Infection mandatory 100 hour class for students during new student orientation. This will help to re-educate the students on the prevention of Sexual Transmitted Infections (Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Syphilis).
Identification of Healthcare Policy Concern
Sexually Transmitted Infections continues to be an issue on college campuses and the question is asked what can be done to reduce the cases on college campuses? Sexual Transmitted Infections are transferred during anal, vaginal sex or genital touching (Allen, Sherrod, & Williams, 2017). Condoms are not used consistently among sexually active college students (Reeves, Ickes, & Mark, 2016). As a young adult on a college campus, myself, I can remember different students engaging in promiscuous activity and becoming infected with a Sexual Transmitted Infection. The shame surrounding the events of going to the infirmary and receiving sometimes painful treatment (Rocephin injections) among taking unpleasant tasting medications hoping for a cure. Not to mention the stigma of having a Sexual Transmitted Infection. Safeguarding young adults if the responsibility of all healthcare providers (Forsyth & Rogstad, 2015).
During this time, almost thirty years ago, education was scarce and also access to condoms. In the United States, approximately 19% of new Sexual Transmitted Infections are reported and half the infections are 15- 24 years of age (Allen et al. , 2017). For this healthcare policy concern, the age range is 18-24, the traditional college-aged adult. More males have a higher rate of having an Sexual Transmitted Infection. Race does not seem to have an effect on the infected individuals.
Someone is affected with an sexual transmitted disease every hour. It does not discriminate with age, sex or origin. It can happen because lack of education, resources or unwillingness of student to take necessary precautions to prevent (Alexander & Thornton, 2015). It can have a lasting effect on the infected student. If the infected student is female, having a sexual transmitted infection can cause Pelvic inflammatory disease to other reproductive organs causing sterility (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Chlamydia-CDC Fact Sheet website, 2017). Males may go unnoticed with some sexual transmitted infections, spreading the disease from person to person. The STI can also be spread within the community by infected individuals causing an increase of STI cases.
Solutions to Healthcare Policy Concern
The number one solution that would help prevent of spread the of STI on college campus is education. Education is key in prevention. The state of Florida should mandate that students at all Florida state colleges and universities should have mandatory 100-hour class on Sexual transmitted infections and prevention. This will help educate students on prevention. The students should have 24 hour resource center that provides easy access to condoms. A positive outcome if solution is implemented is a educating and preventing the spread of STI on the college campuses. Both community and the student population the willingness to learn more regarding STI and prevention. The measurable action the number or new rates or cases in Alachua county will be decreased. The number of students seeking treatment for STI will decrease. The number of students using resources to obtain condoms is a good indicator of a measurable action. Some challenges may be realized when implementing the solution.
One challenge is students willingness to participate to comply withIdentification of Elected Official
The name of my chosen elected official is Clovis Watson, Jr. Mr. Watson was born in Gainesville, Florida. He holds the position of Representative in the State House of Representatives("Biography," 2018). He has been in office since 2012 ("Biography," 2018). I selected Mr. Watson because Florida House is authorized to create and amend laws. Also, I know Mr. Watson personally and think he will listen and consider my health care policy proposal.
Conclusion
Nurses advocate in health care on all levels. Advance practice nurses are great advocates for health care policy. They also advocate for patients, healthcare facilities and for one another. The healthcare issue of Preventing Sexual Transmitted Infections continues to be an ongoing problem. The number one prevention is education. Currently, there is no law or policy for college students to take a 100- hour education on preventing Sexual Transmitted Infection. With better re-education and better resources, the prevent of Sexual Transmitted Infections is within reach.
