Clinical Summary of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation
This document is a summary of the 2008 recommendation of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) on behavioral counseling to prevent sexually transmitted infections. This summary is intended for use by primary care clinicians.
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| Population |
All sexually active adolescents | Adults at increased risk for STIs* | Non-sexually-active adolescents
and adults not at increased risk for STIs |
| Recommendation |
Offer high-intensity counseling
Grade: B
| Offer high-intensity counseling
Grade: B
| No recommendation
Grade: I (Insufficient Evidence)
|
| Risk Assessment |
All sexually active adolescents are at increased risk for STIs and should be offered counseling.
Adults should be considered at increased risk and offered counseling if they have:
- Current STIs or have had an STI within the past year.
- Multiple sexual partners.
In communities or populations with high rates of STIs, all sexually active patients in non-monogamous relationships may be considered at increased risk.
|
| Interventions |
Characteristics of successful high-intensity counseling interventions:
- Multiple sessions of counseling.
- Frequently delivered in group settings.
|
| Suggestions for Practice |
High-intensity counseling may be delivered in primary care settings, or in other sectors of the health system and community settings after referral.
Delivery of this service may be greatly improved by strong linkages between
the primary care setting and community.
|
Evidence is limited regarding counseling for adolescents who are not sexually active. Intensive counseling for all adolescents in order to reach those who are at risk but have not been appropriately identified is not supported by current evidence. Evidence is lacking regarding the effectiveness of counseling for adults not at increased risk for STIs.
|
| Other Relevant Recommendations from the USPSTF |
USPSTF recommendations on screening for chlamydial infection, gonorrhea, genital herpes, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and syphilis,
and on counseling for HIV, can be found at
http://www.preventiveservices.ahrq.gov.
|
*STI = Sexually Transmitted Infection
For a summary of the evidence systematically reviewed in making these recommendations, the full recommendation statement (including a summary
of research gaps), and supporting documents, please go to http://www.preventiveservices.ahrq.gov.
Disclaimer: Recommendations made by the USPSTF are independent of the U.S. government. They should not be construed as an official position of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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Copyright and Source Information
This document is in the public domain within the United States. For
information on reprinting, contact Randie Siegel, Associate Director, Office of Communications and Knowledge Transfer, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality,
540 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD 20850.
Requests for linking or to incorporate content in electronic resources
should be sent to: info@ahrq.gov.
AHRQ Publication No. 08-05123-EF-3
Current as of October 2008
Internet Citation:
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Behavioral Counseling to Prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections: Clinical Summary of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation. AHRQ Publication No. 08-05123-EF-3, October 2008. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf08/sti/stisum.htm
540 Gaither Road Rockville, MD 20850