This presentation was on the prevalence of HIV/STDs in youth in a school system. I present research on the topic, relevant data, and suggested solutions.

1. Reducing
HIV/STDs of
Youth in School
BY HOPE OISHI

2. Local Sr./Jr. High School
•We were contacted by the local Superintendent of
Schools over concerns about increased rates of HIV
and other STDs in students. Venereal diseases
among youth is on the rise; young people aged 15
to 24 account for half of newly-diagnosed patients
and a quarter of the entire sexually active
population. We were asked to design and
implement strategies to monitor current school
data and prevent future occurrences. We created a
baseline measurement using an anonymous online
survey, implemented improved education, and
conducted follow-up surveys to measure progress.

3. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017)

4. Health issues related to HIV/STDs
•HIV
• infection is lifelong and in the great majority of cases leads to death
• breakdown of the immune system, making the body unable to fight illness
• common symptoms: enlarged lymph glands, depression, fatigue, fever, yeast infections of the
mouth and vagina, night sweats, diarrhea, and loss of appetite, memory, and weight
• opportunistic illnesses, which normally do not affect healthy people, take advantage of the
weakened immune system
•Other STDs
• symptoms and conditions range from blisters and itching to long-term disability
• external and internal warts on the genitals of both men and women
• May lead to cervical cancer in women
• infertility
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017)

5. Factors that increase risk
•Insufficient screening
•Confidentiality concerns
•Biology and Puberty
•Lack of access to healthcare services and support
•Inadequate education and lack of condom use
•Multiple sexual partners

6. Scope of the problem
•Among U.S. high school students,
• 47% have had sexual intercourse
• 34% had sexual intercourse within the last 3 months of survey
• 15% had sexual intercourse with four or more persons during their life
• 6% had sexual intercourse for the first time before age 13 years
• 41% of those sexually active did not use a condom during last instance
• 15% were never taught in school about AIDS or HIV infection
(Division of Adolescent and School Health)

7. Common venereal diseases
•HIV/AIDS
•Human papillomavirus infection (HPV)
•Genital herpes
•Chlamydia
•Gonorrhea
•Syphilis

8. What are the solutions?
•Improve and implement sexual health education
• Including how to prevent HIV/STDs, the importance of condoms, how to obtain
condoms, and how to access health support and services
•Provide comprehensive health services
• Providing testing, counseling, and referrals for HIV/STDs at school, and provide
condoms
•Encourage supportive environments
• Implement support and counseling services at school in both individual and group
settings, and provide support especially for LGBT youth
(Division of Adolescent and School Health, 2018)

9. In the future…
•We recommended to the Superintendent of Schools that follow-up
surveys be conducted to measure progress made. These follow-ups
should occur at six months and again at a year. Implemented
procedures may possibly be adjusted according to the results of
follow-up measurements.

10. References
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). HIV and Other STD Prevention and United
States Students. Retrieved from
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/us_hiv_combo.pdf
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017, September 15). AIDS and Other STDs in
Youth: Gateway to Health Communication. CDC. Retrieved from
https://www.cdc.gov/healthcommunication/toolstemplates/entertainmented/tips/AidsStds.ht
ml
• Division of Adolescent and School Health. (n.d.). Sexual Risk Behaviors Can Lead to HIV, STDS,
& Teen Pregnancy. Adolescent and School Health. CDC. Retrieved from
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/sexualbehaviors/index.htm
• Division of Adolescent and School Health. (2018, October 15). Adolescent and School Health.
Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/wscc/index.htm