Infection Rates Based on Age, Gender, and Race
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2021), California recorded a decline in gonorrhea infection rates in 2019; there was a 203.2 infection rate compared to 198.5 infection rates in 2020. The age with the highest infection rate was 20-24, which recorded an infection rate of 645.3 per 100,000. Furthermore, the 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-54, and 55-64 had infection rates of 574.5, 466.5, 313.5, 220.9, 111.9, and 48.4. People above 65 years recorded an infection rate of 7.1 per 100,000 (CDC, 2021). Additionally, the charts show that Blacks had the highest infection rate, 589.8, compared to other races. In comparison, AI/AN, NHOPI, Hispanic/Latino, White, Asian, and MultRace recorded infection rates of 195.3, 164.6, 124.4, 102.5, 38.6, and 34.5, respectively (CDC, 2021). Finally, Californian males recorded the highest infection rate of 253.5 compared to 142.4 in females.
Similarly, California recorded an infection rate of 19.5 per 100,000 population in 2020 compared to 20.9 in 2019 for primary and secondary syphilis infections. The age group with the highest infection rate was 25-29, which had an infection rate of 50.6, while 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-54, and 55-64 had 47.2, 38.3, 30.4, 20.5, and 10.2 per 100,000, respectively (CDC, 2021). Furthermore, 20-24 had a slightly higher infection rate of 39.4, while 15-19 recorded an infection rate of 10.1, and the 65 years and above had a 1.5 rate per 100,000. Blacks had the highest infection rate of 45.5 per 100,000 population. Other races, such as NHOPI, AI/AN, Hispanic/Latino, White, Asian, and MultRace, had 25.3, 20.3, 17.4, 16.5, 6.6, and 5.8 infection rates per 100,000, respectively (CDC, 2021). Finally, Californian males had a higher infection rate of 31.1 compared to 7.7 in females.
Additionally, there was a considerable decline in Chlamydia infection rates, where CDC recorded 599.1 infection rates in 2019 compared to 452.2 infection rates per 100,000 population. However, 20-24 had high infection rates, 2328.2 per 100,000 population (CDC, 2021). The second age group with high infection was 25-29, which reported a 1237.2 infection rate, while the 15-19 age group recorded an infection rate of 1184.3. Furthermore, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-54, and 55-64 recorded infection rates of 715.7, 408.7, 253.8, 123.8, and 48.6 per 100,000, respectively. Blacks recorded the highest infection rate of 669.8 per 100,000 compared to other racial minorities and Whites (CDC, 2021). For instance, NHOPI, AI/AN/ Hispanic/Latino, White, Asian, and MultRace recorded infection rates of 302.5, 228.5, 186.9, 134.7, 73.0, and 35.3 per 100,000, respectively. Finally, Californian women had a higher infection rate of 550.3 compared to a 350.0 infection rate among men.
Furthermore, California recorded a reduction in Early Non-Primary and Non-Secondary syphilis between 2019 and 2020. In 2019 there was a 21.0 infection rate per 100,000 population compared to 19.4 in 2020. Moreover, 25-34 years recorded the highest infection rate of 46.4 per 100,000. Age groups 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, and 15-24 recorded 36.5, 25.4, 13.7, 1.9, and 17.4 infection rates per 100,000 (CDC, 2021). Furthermore, Blacks had the highest infection rate of 45.1, while the NHOPI recorded 31.4. Other races such as Hispanic/Latino, AI/AN, White, MultRace, and Asian recorded 21.0, 17.9, 14.5, 7.1, and 6.4 per 100,000, respectively. Finally, Californian men had the highest infection rate of Early Non-Primary and Non-Secondary syphilis at 32.7 compared to 5.8 among women (CDC, 2021). Correspondingly, California recorded a rise in congenital syphilis infections from 99.4 in 2019 to 107.7 per 100,000 population in 2020.
Evidence of Disparities
The results show that the 20-24 age group was twice as likely to contract STDs compared to other age groups, as they are more sexually active and may have numerous sexual partners. Furthermore, the results show that men have higher infection rates, as they are three times more likely to contract STDs, due to men’s tendency to have more sexual partners. The research shows a higher infection rate of STDs as Blacks have a five times higher rate of infection compared to whites. The disparity is that Blacks only comprise 5% of Californians, compared to 35% of Whites in California. The main rationale is that racial minorities diagnosed with STDs are less likely than Whites to be linked to care, remain in care, and get better viral suppression.
Discuss Barriers that may Contribute to Disparities in STD Rates in California
The main barriers contributing to disparities emanate from social conditions such as low education levels, poverty, and neighborhoods that affect a wide range of functioning, health, and quality of life risks and outcomes (Tapp & Hudson, 2020). Most racial ethnicities have to deal with high poverty levels, as they face difficulties affording basic needs, ultimately affecting their ability to access quality sexual health services. Furthermore, racial minorities might face discrimination leading to distrust in the health care system and negative feelings about getting treatment for STDs.
Discuss how Rates in California Compare to those of the US
The results show that the US recorded increased infection rates of primary and secondary syphilis from 2019 to 2020. In 2019, the US recorded an 11.9 infection rate compared to 12.7 in 2020; however, there was a reduction in infection in California (CDC, 2021). Furthermore, the age group 25-29 in the US had the highest rate of infection recorded as 36.8, reflecting the high infection rate among 25-29 year-olds in California. Similarly, other age groups, such as 15-19, 20-24, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-54, 55-64, and 65 and above, recorded infection rates of 8.5, 29.4, 34.7, 24.3, 18.5, 12.1, 6.0, and 1.0, respectively. The data also shows that Blacks had the highest infection rate of 34.1 per 100,000 in the US compared to 45.5 in California (CDC, 2021). Furthermore, other races were three times more likely to have a higher infection rate in the US population and California than Whites. Finally, the overall US statistics show that males had the highest infection rate of 20.8 compared to 4.7 in females, which coincides with the Californian male infection rate of 31.1 and 7.7 in females.
Correspondingly, the data shows an increase in Early Non-Primary and Non-Secondary Syphilis in the US. In 2019 there was an infection rate of 12.7 compared to 13.1 in 2020. However, California recorded a 1.6 reduction in infection rates between 2019 and 2020. The 25-34 age group recorded the highest infection rate of 36.8 in the US, while California recorded a 46.4 infection rate per 100,000 (CDC, 2021). Furthermore, age groups such as 15-24, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, and 65-year-olds and above recorded 15.5, 24.1, 14.2, 7.2, and 1.1 respectively, which was slightly lower compared to California; for instance, 35-44 had a high infection rate of 36.5. Both California and US data show that Blacks had the highest rate of infection, which was 45.1 and 35.9, respectively, compared to Whites and other races. Finally, American females had a lower infection rate of 4.7 compared to 21.8 in males, while in California, women had a 5.8 and men 32.7 infection rate (CDC, 2021). Similarly, the US recorded increased rates of congenital syphilis in 2019 and 2020 that rose from 50.0 to 57.3, reflecting the increase in infection rates in California, from 99.4 in 2019 to 107.7 per 100,000 population.
Additionally, the US recorded reduced Chlamydia infection rates of 551.0 in 2019 and 481.3 in 2020. This data depicts the gradual decline of Chlamydia cases in California. Furthermore, in the US, 20-24-year-olds had a high infection rate of 2660.6, similar to 2328.2 within the same age group in California (CDC, 2021). The data shows that Blacks in the US had an infection rate of 1086.3, approximately five times higher than Whites. Furthermore, Blacks in California were ten times more likely to contract Chlamydia than Whites. Finally, US females have an infection rate of 616.5 compared to 339.4 in males, which resembles the high rate of infection in California, which had 550.3 female infection rates compared to 350.0 in men.
Similarly, the data shows that the US recorded an increase in gonorrhea infection rates; in 2019, there was a 187.8 infection rate per 100,000, while in 2020, had 206.5. However, California recorded a decline in gonorrhea infection rates between 2019 and 2020. The data shows that 20-24-year-olds in the US had the highest infection rate of 845.4, which coincides with the infection rates among 20-24-year-olds in California which recorded an infection rate of 645.3 per 100,000 (CDC, 2021). Similarly, Blacks had a high infection rate of 662.4 in the US, which is almost similar to the 589.8 infection rate in California. The rate of infection among Blacks in the US was ten times higher compared to Whites, while other racial minorities such as AI/AN, NHOPI, MultRace, and Hispanic/ Latino also had higher infection rates. Finally, US males had an infection rate of 238.5 while females had 174.5, which reflects the infection rate of Californian males and females.
Discuss Two Person-Centered Actions the Nurse Practitioner can Use to Promote STD Self-Care Management for Marginalized Clients.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) (2019), person-centered actions entail systematic practices that focus on individuality, communication, autonomy and dignity of individuals getting STD services with non-coercive and respectful services led by a culturally competent staff. The first person-centered action is using education to create awareness about self-care in managing STDs (WHO, 2019). For instance, nurses can educate marginalized clients through social media platforms and community campaigns. Hence, health education will equip marginalized clients with knowledge on protection measures, risk of infection, and sexual health. The second action is annual wellness programs (WHO, 2019). Nurse practitioners can use community wellness programs to sensitize the masses to participate in check-ups and understand their health status. These annual check-ups will ensure that most community members are tested and treated, thus, averting health risks associated with STDs. The annual wellness check-ups will also boost community participation in STD vaccines, increasing access to better healthcare and decreasing infection rates.
Discuss Opportunities for Interprofessional Collaboration to Address Disparities in STD Rates.
Nurses can work with social workers in identifying community members that need help. For instance, during the assessment of families, a social worker might identify a client needing HIV resources. Therefore, the social worker might refer the client to the Nurse, and the Nurse might offer access to HIV testing, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and HIV primary care (Tapp & Hudson, 2020). The other opportunity for interprofessional collaboration is through partnerships with hospitals, retail clinics and local pharmacies. Government hospitals can partner with local pharmacies and retail clinics to offer free STD testing and half-priced medication purchases. This partnership will ensure that marginalized communities access better healthcare, reducing disparities in STD rates. Finally, policymakers can collaborate with nurses by offering more funds, resource coordination, and cultural competence programs to help healthcare professionals embrace diverse races when treating STDs.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). STD Charts. https://gis.cdc.gov/grasp/nchhstpatlas/charts.html
Tapp, J., & Hudson, T. (2020). Sexually transmitted infections prevalence in the United States and the relationship to social determinants of health. Nursing Clinics, 55(3), 283-293. doi.org/10.1016/j.cnur.2020.05.001
World Health Organization. (2019). WHO consolidated guideline on self-care interventions for health: sexual and reproductive health and rights. World Health Organization. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/325480/9789241550550-eng.pdf
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