Preparing Adolescents
Synthesis of Literature
Research question
Do the training programs give adolescent enough information regarding their health and the pelvic and pap tests? It is only by having sufficient and convincing information that adolescents will consider going for the tests.
Proposed methodology
The research method is the use of the available literature and other information sources dealing with the study on strategies used in the eradication of HPV mainly among adolescent girls HPV infection is one of the major health problem the world is facing. In order to establish the means and strategies of intervention, it is important to have an understanding of the various components related to HPV infection which starts with analyzing the educational programs available and their effectiveness in ensuring the adolescent girls have undergone pap and screening test at an early stage and also informing the members of public on the importance of these tests. The research will also use literature materials on researchers done to show the extent of HPV vaccine knowledge among members of public.
Synthesis of literature
The programs of HPV vaccines have to be launched in every part of the country because they provide clear, accurate, readily understandable and simple information that can help to educate the adolescents and even adult women about cervical cancer, HPV and the available vaccine programs. This information is crucial in helping the adolescents to distinguish misinformation and the truth and can be able to access the various levels of the vaccine benefits and risks.
The main stakeholders to such programs include the adolescents, their parents, the civil society, local politicians and teachers, religious leaders, representatives from media houses and leaders of the community. A communication process is basically something which integrates various educational programs which aim at delivering information through various forms of media. This helps clients to access information in an appropriate manner to fit their personal progress and circumstances to other required complex information.
In many regions of the country and even around the globe, raising the understanding of cervical cancer is a vital step in saving the lives of various young women. Cervical cancer is a largely prevalent health risk which needs constant follow up and screening on the regular basis. However there are currently very little steps which have been done to address this condition. The adolescents have very low level of knowledge and understanding about cervical cancer, its causes and the impact it has about on their lives (Randolph, Parra, Klosky, & Gamble, 2010).
This shows that there is a knowledge gap which has to be filled and it applied to the developed world also. A study carried out in Britain showed that less than 1% of those who were the representative sample were able to clearly state that HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer. From the same study, 14% of the representative sample was able to show their awareness that there is a relationship between sexually transmitted infection and cervical cancer (Murthy & Landford, 2010). The same case was also seen in a study carried out in Germany in which only 3.2% of the randomly selected participants were able to identify that cervical cancer was caused by the existence of HPV (Mittendorf, 2009- pp 209-214).
Little research has been done to establish the message of HPV testing in various parts around the world especially in the undeveloped countries. In the United States research has shown that HPV information causes anxiety, stigmatization and is basically confusing (Randolph et al., 2010). Adults for example express confusion when they are informed about the link between cervical cancer and HPV. They also fail to understand the difference between the low and high risk types of HPV and how both these types are transient and incurable (Randolph et al., 2010).
Concerns and anxiety were noted when the adults were provided with information about HPV being incurable and asymptomatic in nature. The research finally showed that despite the participant knowing how HPV is common, it was likely that it would lead to suspicions and accusations of infidelity among people in the relationship (Murthy & Landford 2010). These are the aspects which need to be addressed in various communication programs which will help both parents and adolescents to know the importance of generally screening and test.
Apart from providing information concerning HPV and cervical cancer it is also important for the programs to provide basic information concerning, the availability of vaccines, their side effects, efficacy, protection duration, safety and the cost. This will help the parents of the adolescent to make decisions concerning the use of vaccines (Murthy & Landford, 2010). The adolescents and the parents should also be made to understand the importance of taking these vaccines, the recommended schedule for receiving the vaccine and the logistics. Disseminating the information concerning the vaccine calls for proper crafting and should be done strategically to focus at the very particular age when young girls have started becoming sexually active which is approximated too be the age of 15.
Such information should convey information about the risk of HPV and the need for the audience to demand for the vaccine without causing anxiety. Communicating the issue of HPV should be sensitive about the concerns of individuals on the use of vaccine which may condone the adolescents or encourage their sexual behaviors. Just like the HPV, information should also touch on Hepatitis B as the cause of cervical cancer and the need to undertake the Hepatitis B vaccine and HIV to engage in safe sex practices. Teens that are not already sexually active in such programs are also encouraged.
Health care education and coverage to the youths and the adolescents cannot only helping in passing to them knowledge on HPV but also on STDS and HIV/AIDs. Studies have shown that only eleven percent of the teenagers are given information by their parents regarding HIV/AIDs and STDS. The media like the television shows have least contributed to impacting knowledge to the teens on safe sexual behaviors and also on the realities of HIV/AIDs and STDs. Sexually transmitted infections have mainly contributed to the spread of HIV/AIDs among the teenage girls and boys and this can be rectified if only they are equipped with knowledge on their sexuality and how to protect themselves.
Through providing information which addresses these concerns, it is important to also touch on the nature of the infection of HPV which is ubiquitous. Vaccines benefit and the importance of having an immunity before one becomes sexually active (Murthy & Landford, 2010). The educators should also be keen to address aspects which the vaccine will not protect against like HIV/AIDS and if applicable, it is important for educators to advice the adolescents on the practice of safe sex. Innovative strategies have to be developed to attract and to target the teenagers in ways which would help them gain access to information concerning the importance of undergoing Pap test and examination and the need of vaccines. The strategies should also focus on how to tell such information to the adult decision makers like parents and teachers.
References
Bearinger, L.H., Sieving, R.E., Ferguson, J. & Sharma, V. (2007) Global perspectives on the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents: patterns, prevention, and potential. The Lancet, 9568 (369), 1220-1231.
Han, C. A. Aygul, A. and Gulten, G. (2011). Health Belief Model Scale for CervicalCancer and PapSmearTest: psychometric testing. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2(67), 428-437.
Murthy, P. & Landford, C. (2010) Women’s global health and human rights. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Mittendorf T( 2009) Economic evaluation of human papillomavirus screening in Germany, European journal of health economics. Springer publishers. pp 209-214
Randolph, E. M. Parra, R. G. Klosky, L. J. and Gamble, L. H. (2010),. Factors influencing familial decision-making regarding human papillomavirus vaccination: The Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 7(35), 704-15.
Sawyer, S.M., Drew, S., Yeo, M.S. & Britto, M.T. (2007). Adolescents with a chronic condition: challenges living, challenges treating: The Lancet. 369 (9571), 1481-1489
Tsui, J. Saraiya, M. Jorgensen, M. C. and Calloway, C. (2006). A content analysis of news coverage of HPV vaccine by U.S newspapers: January 2002-2005. The Journal of Women Health, 7(15).
William, S., Gabe, J., &Davis P. (2009). Pharmaceuticals and Society: Critical Discourses and Debates. Wiley-Blackwell.
Is this your assignment or some part of it?
We can do it for you! Click to Order!
