RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The National Network of Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinical Prevention Training Centers (NNPTC) trains clinical providers to diagnose and treat sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States. The purpose of this study was to examine the demographics of clinical providers and to correlate the number of training episodes with STI rates at the county level. METHODS: Registration data were collected between April 1, 2015, and March 31, 2020, in a custom Learning Management System from clinical providers taking NNPTC training. Using the 2018 STI surveillance data, counties were divided into quartiles based on reportable STI case rates and the number of county-level training events was compared per quartile. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted in IBM SPSS Statistics 23 (Armonk, NY) and SAS Enterprise Guide 7.1 (Cary, NC). RESULTS: From 2015 to 2020, the NNPTC trained 21,327 individuals, predominantly in the nursing professions and working in a public health environment. In multivariate analysis, the number of training events was significantly associated with higher STI rates at the county level (P < 0.0001) and the state where a prevention training center is located (P < 0001). CONCLUSIONS: The analysis suggests that NNPTC trainings are reaching the clinical providers working in geographic areas with higher STI rates.
Assuntos
Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis , Humanos , Saúde Pública , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/diagnóstico , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/epidemiologia , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/prevenção & controle , Estados Unidos/epidemiologiaRESUMO
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of HIV knowledge, demographics, and psychosocial factors with HIV risk behavior among high school students (N = 805) in urban and rural regions of Ecuador. Forty-three percent of the participants reported being sexually experienced. Of the sexually experienced participants, 50% reported never using condoms for intercourse, and 70% did not use condoms at last intercourse. A small minority of the sample felt that they were at risk for contracting HIV (18.5%). Educational aspirations past high school and residence in an urban area were significantly associated with decreased HIV risk (condom use at last intercourse and abstinence). High self-efficacy for condom use and strong refusal skills to unsafe sex were also significantly associated with decreased HIV risk. Consistent with prior research, the participants that reported their peers were sexually experienced were significantly more likely to have had sex. The discussion focuses on the use of interventions and education for promoting safer sexual behavior among Ecuadorian adolescents.