Abstract
M.Cur.
An exploratory descriptive study was undertaken, focusing on sexually transmitted diseases among teenagers. The aim of the study was to explore and describe the possible reasons for the high rate of sexually transmitted diseases in teenagers. The knowledge, attitudes and opinions of teenagers and community nurses involved in the teenage clinic in a specific predominantly black area were assessed.
Twenty teenagers and five community nurses in a specific predominantly black area, were participants in the study. Focus group interviews are used. The study is conducted in two phases: teenagers representing phase one (1) and community nurses as phase two (2). It can be concluded that the attitudes of community nurses may have an influence on the high rate of sexually transmitted diseases, and the knowledge of the teenagers about sexually transmitted diseases is based on myths and misconceptions.
The recommendations made are that the training standards for all community nurses should be reviewed and adapted to meet the needs of teenagers attending the teenage services. The policy on in-service training must be reviewed and monitored. Community nurses' intensive training on teenage service delivery and sexually transmitted diseases services should be in correlation with the principles of Primary Health Care. Community nurses need to attend intensive courses on interpersonal skills specifically related to teenagers. Selection procedures for recruiting community nurses to attend specifically to teenagers should be researched. The attitude of community nurses and teenagers should be the core of the service delivery. Teenagers should be involved in planning programmes and the teenage clinic should be evaluated frequently to improve the standards. The availability of teenage services should result in a decrease in sexually transmitted diseases among teenagers.