Abstract
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a public health problem in the United States, with adolescents and young adults to age 25 bearing a disproportionate burden of infection. Risk reduction counseling (RRC) as a strategy to decrease STI incidence has been a focus of scholars. Research examining RRC efficacy has suggested that RRC is effective for 6 to 12 months after treatment. However, study samples have varied by age, ethnicity, race, gender, and geographic location. Whether RRC is effective for more than 1 year is unknown. The purpose of this post hoc chi-square study was to examine the efficacy of moderate-intensity RRC among adolescents and young adults at 1 and 2 years post treatment. Longitudinal data from an urban public health clinic were analyzed for 300 individuals who received RRC and 176 individuals who did not. The study sample encompassed individuals aged 13 to 26 years and reflected the demographics of the geographic location as well as race, ethnicity, gender, and partner gender preference. There was a statistically significant decrease in the number of STIs reported among those who received RRC at 1 year and 2 years post treatment compared to the group that did not. Moderate-intensity RRC is an effective strategy for decreasing STI acquisition among 13- to 26-year-old individuals for at least 2 years. This study contributes to positive social change by decreasing individual STI acquisition as healthcare providers, counselors, and educators incorporate RRC into their interactions.
Sigma Membership
Alpha Mu
Type
Dissertation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Young Adults, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Social Ecology, Risk Reduction Counseling, Adolescents
Advisor
Randy Heinrich
Second Advisor
Gregory Hickson
Third Advisor
Barbara Benoliel
Degree
PhD
Degree Grantor
Walden University
Degree Year
2020
Recommended Citation
Farina, Cindy M., "Moderate-intensity risk reduction counseling and acquisition of sexually transmitted infection" (2022). Dissertations. 264.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/dissertations/264
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository.
All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
None: Degree-based Submission
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2022-03-15
Full Text of Presentation
wf_yes
Description
This dissertation has also been disseminated through the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. Dissertation/thesis number: 27993573; ProQuest document ID: 2407359665. The author still retains copyright.