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Context: Risky sexual behaviors among adolescent males put them at risk for sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS, and unplanned fatherhood, yet few facilities in the United States provide focused sexual and reproductive health services to these young men. A general acknowledgement exists that the development of such services is needed, yet there is little research to guide providers in making existing services more attractive to young males and in developing new sexual health services for this population. Objectives: This research aimed to explore attitudes and perceptions of urban black male adolescents regarding the availability of and access to reproductive healthcare. Methods: Eighteen black male adolescents participated in three focus group discussions held in a central New Jersey city. Transcripts of the discussions were analyzed using the constant comparative method. Resulting categories were grouped into themes, which reflected the adolescents' perceptions and experiences. Member checks were used to verify findings. Results: The adolescents felt that obtaining sexual health services was a stressful experience fraught with both internal and external barriers. Internal barriers included a fear of stigma and a loss of social status, shame, and embarrassment. External barriers included disrespectful providers, a lack of privacy/confidentiality, and challenges in accessing and negotiating the healthcare system. The young males described an idealized clinic environment as informal, welcoming, and respectful. Discussion and Conclusions: Providers should focus on improving the quality of care in existing clinics, particularly in the areas of access, privacy, and confidentiality, and on developing adolescent-friendly clinics focusing on male services. Adolescents should be encouraged to visit clinics prior to an acute need for services. There also is a need for providers who are comfortable with and able to communicate with male adolescents.
Adolescent pregnancy remains a significant problem in the United States today, despite availability of effective contraceptive methods. Not all sexually active adolescents use contraception, and even those who do use contraception sometimes use it incorrectly. Emergency contraception, which refers to methods of pregnancy prevention used after unprotected intercourse, has the potential to prevent most unplanned adolescent pregnancies. Emergency contraceptive pills (ECP) containing estrogen and progestin or progestin alone are more than 75% effective when the first dose is taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex and the second dose is taken 12 hours later. However, barriers to accessing ECPs include lack of knowledge of the method, fear of loss of privacy, difficulties in finding a provider, and cost. Another barrier is that controversy exists about the mechanisms of action of emergency contraception about its role in pregnancy prevention. As a result, some nurses are not comfortable with suggesting emergency contraception to their patients. Nurses can play a critical role in providing ECPs to adolescents by developing programs to streamline distribution of ECPs, while maintaining adolescent privacy. Other essential roles for nurses include providing education about ECPs to parents, other healthcare providers and community members, and advocating for political and legal changes that will ease restrictions on ECP distribution. Nurses who are personally uncomfortable discussing emergency contraception can refer their patients to other providers for information and access to this method.
Measles (Rubeola), although considered eradicated in the United States, still causes periodic outbreaks. Vaccine refusal leads to vulnerable pockets of individuals who may become infected once the virus is imported from countries where it is endemic. In turn, these individuals may spread the virus to young infants and to other vulnerable individuals. Many healthcare providers are not familiar with this disease or with the factors that contribute to the risk of spread. Measles causes a serious febrile illness that may lead to pneumonia, blindness, deafness, neurological disorders, and even death. Patients with measles need supportive care and administration of oral vitamin A. The measles vaccine is highly effective and considered extremely safe, but misinformation about the safety of this and other vaccines has decreased immunization coverage in some areas of the country. Mandatory immunization laws exist in every state and have been upheld by courts including the United States Supreme Court, but laws and exemptions vary among states. Nurses can play a strong role in care of patients with measles, case identification, and prevention of transmission. Most importantly, because nurses hold positions of trust in their communities, they should be tireless frontline advocates for immunization. The purpose of this article is to provide information on measles, its transmission, signs and symptoms, treatment, prevention, and relevant laws and regulations.
To describe current knowledge about diagnosis, screening, and treatment of sexually transmitted urethritis among adolescent and young adult males.Current research, systematic reviews, consensus guidelines and the author's clinical experience.Urethritis, the most common sexually transmitted syndrome in young males, is most frequently caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and/or Neisseria gonorrhea. Symptoms include dysuria and penile discharge, although up to 50% of males are asymptomatic. Risky sexual behaviors and lack of access to healthcare increase incidence of this infection. Transmission to female partners can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and neonatal infection.Young males with urethritis must be treated as soon as diagnosis is established. Consensus guidelines exist for diagnosis and treatment of gonococcal and non-gonococcal urethritis. Careful patient education is necessary to ensure successful treatment. Prevention of repeat infections requires partner treatment and detailed education about safer sexual practices. Improved access to preventive services for young males should be a healthcare priority.
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