Ways to Spread Awareness and Eliminate Myths About STDs
Sexually transmitted diseases can affect anyone at any time. Despite protection being available in the market, STDs are thriving due to a lack of proper awareness. There is much stigma surrounding STDs. Schools may help people understand these diseases superficially, but the knowledge is not enough. It also doesn’t help that there are so many myths floating around these infectious diseases. Fortunately, physicians are in place to help understand what they’re up against and how to protect themselves from getting them. Doctors also have an accurate understanding of what these diseases entail and details on them. Educating is essential in learning about STDs. Here’s how healthcare providers can spread awareness and deal with myths:
Table of Contents
Spread Awareness and Eliminate Myths About STDs
Teach About STDs
Start by talking about STDs. You can provide resources such as videos and even website links on what they look like and what they’re called. The next step is talking about what parts of the body they impact and the symptoms. Make sure the language is concise and steers clear from telling stories. You want to provide factual information. You should debunk any information beyond the one you feed. Your information should also include possible treatment routes and how an individual’s lifestyle is impacted.
Read: Steps to Ensure Women’s Health
Get Involved In The Public Sector
The public sector deals with STDs, and there is plenty of information available online on how much and how often the population is impacted by it. Once you start working with public health professionals, start paying attention to trends. If you notice that STDs are prevalent in teens, you need to talk to schools and parents. If it’s common in adults, encourage them to see doctors. Find out what methods of contraceptives are popular and what misconceptions are people harboring.
Moreover, there is a rise in the online registration of courses as it allows flexibility to balance work, life, and higher education. Hence, medical experts and professionals prefer enrolling in online MPH programs to hone their skills which helps them further impact society.
Talk About Common Myths
People are willing to give the benefit of the doubt about STDs. They assume the situation isn’t as bad as the healthcare sector makes it to be. However, that’s not the case. STDs are very serious, and unless they’re treated, they can become very dangerous. Some of the common myths include that if you catch an STD once, you never catch it again. That’s not the case. STD has no immunity, and you can catch one again after you recover. Not all forms of contraceptives are effective, and only mechanical barriers like condoms can protect you. Another popular myth is the belief that public toilets carry STDs. That’s not true. Viruses need a host cell to survive. Outside the human body, they cannot live and so cannot thrive. It is essential to put these myths to rest since misinformation can cause people to make wrong decisions. If people value myth over scientific facts, then that is a problem.
Read: Common Health Issues You Shouldn’t Neglect
Visit A Doctor For Regular Screening
It would help if you encouraged teenagers and adults to get screened for STDs. There is no shame in a doctor’s visit. It is always a good idea to catch the disease early before it progresses. Any illnesses that escalate to later stages can get more painful to deal with. It also becomes challenging to find the proper treatment if the disease has escalated. Doctors can also provide helpful information on STDs. They can guide a teenager in a more age-appropriate manner without shaming or making them feel embarrassed. They can also talk to adults about what they need to do to stay protected and how often they should get tested.
