State interventions you will take to overcome the challenges relating to offer prostitutes testing for STIs, including HIV?

Zohpius

March 31, 2023

Case study on sexually transmitted infections (STI) – Research methodology

You are the sexually transmitted infections (STI) program manager of the Communicable Disease Control Unit in a public health department in a large city e.g Akure, Ondo State. A recent news story of an HIV-positive commercial sex worker has prompted public concern. While reviewing the county’s HIV surveillance report for the last period of data collection, you note that the department does not conduct official surveillance of commercial sex workers. Studies have found that the HIV infection rate among female prostitutes has been as low as 12 % in Atlanta and as high as 57 % in northern New Jersey . You are also aware of a UNAIDS report that found “where health and social services are provided and sex workers are actively engaged in efforts to provide universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, HIV incidence declines” (UNAIDS 2012b). Therefore, you are eager to start an intervention program that encourages commercial sex workers to undergo HIV testing. You recall that an intervention in a neighbouring state used caseworkers to offer prostitutes testing for STIs, including HIV. However, a number of challenges abound. How would you approach this? Known fully well that Prostitution is illegal in your state, with penalties ranging from a Class A misdemeanour (punishable by up to a year in prison) for first-time offenders, to a Class 4 felony (punishable by 1–3 years in prison) for repeat offenders. Moreover, state law requires that health care providers report to the Department of Health the names of patients who test HIV-positive. How would you solve this?

Questions 1. What do you understand about the term Communicable disease?

2. How much was the HIV infection rate among female prostitutes in Atlanta and New Jersey?

3. What was stated by UNAIDS 2012b report in the case study?

4. What is the aim of the case study?

5. State interventions you will take to overcome the challenges relating to offer prostitutes testing for STIs, including HIV?