i-Human Virtual Patient Encounter – Reproductive Health

i-Human Virtual Patient Encounter – Reproductive Health

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) disproportionately affect marginalized communities due to the social core determinants of various factors such as low health literacy, prejudice, and discrimination in this part of the population. Enhancing self-care management for such clients means that one has to focus on the persons and the environment in which they find themselves while being patient-centered in the process of encouraging them to take charge of their sexual health.

Strategies to Promote STI Self-Care Management

Culturally Sensitive Education and Counseling

In order to address the gaps in STI self-care management for marginalized clients, culturally sensitive education and counseling are necessary. Healthcare providers should respect the client’s cultural beliefs, values, and linguistic background. This can entail working with local authorities, using culturally competent health promotion resources and materials, and providing interpreters, if necessary. Culturally competent counseling should involve creating rapport, reducing self-images and perceptions of clients, and enhancing their autonomy in matters concerning their sexual health. Also, providers must ensure that clients feel free to express themselves and seek any services from the providers without feeling judged.

Furthermore, providing clients with the opportunity to be involved in the decision-making process and have their opinions taken into consideration can contribute to their sense of ownership and, consequently, enhance the likelihood of them following self-care regimens. Additionally, according to Marja and Suvi (2021), cultural competence training is necessary for the professional development of a healthcare provider since it is effective in developing understanding between the healthcare provider and the patient, which also helps in increasing patient satisfaction, especially for marginalized groups. The authors recommend that health education and counseling materials be culturally sensitive and be developed in the client’s preferred language.

Accessible and Affordable Resources

Due to their low socio-economic status, limited transport, and monetary accessibility to healthcare services, vulnerable groups usually have limited access to services. Accordingly, healthcare professionals should encourage and make available resources to enhance the management of STI self-care. This can include providing affordable or even free STI tests and treatments, sharing tested kits and condoms with relevant community-based organizations, and setting up telemedicine or mobile clinics to reach other remote communities. Also, providers should link clients with basic care services and support services that could help reduce structural factors that put individuals at risk of STIs, such as housing, food, and legal help. According to Mustanski et al. (2013), members of marginalized communities must have easy access to affordable STI testing and treatment facilities; as such, home testing kits should be provided, and community-based organizations should be engaged to deliver the requisite STI services to members of the targeted communities. The authors have also acknowledged the need to address socio-demographic determinants, including poverty, unstable housing, and stigma, which were associated with higher STI rates within vulnerable groups.

Peer Support and Peer Participation

Including peers and community members in the self-management of STIs can be a useful approach to working with hard-to-reach groups. Using peer educators and support groups can enhance the dissemination of culturally appropriate information, the practice of acceptable behaviors, and emotional support from persons with similar backgrounds who have no prejudice. Several integration strategies involve the community, which may include joining local stakeholders, religious or other interest groups, or individuals to enhance the interventions to meet the targeted population. Such partnerships can also help to enhance trust and improve the likelihood of self-care practices being considered and adopted (Meherali et al., 2021).

Summary

For STI self-care management to be effective among marginalized clients, it is important to use a cultural perspective to understand the client’s cultural and economic backgrounds. Education and counseling and/or in conjunction with peer educators and members of a particular culture, coupled with affordable and easily accessible sexual health information and products, is one of the ways that healthcare providers can ensure that the minority has control over their sexual health, thus assisting to decrease the high rate of STIs in a marginalized society.

References

Marja, S., & Suvi, A. (2021). Cultural competence learning of the health care students using simulation pedagogy: An integrative review. Nurse Education in Practice, 52, 103044. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2021.103044

Meherali, S., Rehmani, M., Ali, S., & Lassi, Z. S. (2021). Interventions and strategies to improve sexual and reproductive health outcomes among adolescents living in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Adolescents, 1(3), 363–390. https://doi.org/10.3390/adolescents1030028

Mustanski, B., Garofalo, R., Monahan, C., Gratzer, B., & Andrews, R. (2013). Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of an online HIV prevention program for diverse young men who have sex with men: The Keep It Up! Intervention. AIDS and Behavior, 17(9), 2999–3012. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-013-0507-z

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

We’ll write everything from scratch

Week 7i-Human Virtual Patient Encounter – Reproductive Health
Assignment
I. Reflection
1. Address the following questions:
a. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are more prevalent in clients who are members of marginalized communities. Identify and discuss two person-centered actions to promote STI self-care management for marginalized clients.

i-Human Virtual Patient Encounter – Reproductive Health

2. Provide evidence from a scholarly resource. Cite your source(s) appropriately. Include the following components:
a. write 150-300 words in a Microsoft Word document
b. demonstrate clinical judgment appropriate to the virtual patient scenario
c. cite at least one relevant scholarly source as defined by program expectations to an external site.
d. communicate with minimal errors in English grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation