reproductive health services for adolescents - Pathfinder International

Module 16/Unit 8
Specific Objective #3: Summarize appropriate syndromic and
clinical management of STIs
CONTENT
Knowledge/Attitudes/Skills
APPROACHES TO THE
MANAGEMENT OF STIS
Etiologic: A diagnosis is based on the
results of laboratory tests that can
identify the specific organism causing the
infection. Thus, it is possible to treat only
for one infection. Results of laboratory
tests should be returned quickly for
effective treatment.
Clinical: Provider makes a diagnosis (or
educated guess) about which organism
is causing infection based on the
patient's history, signs, and symptoms.
Syndromic: The patient is diagnosed
and treated based on groups of
symptoms or syndromes, rather than for
specific STIs. All possible STIs that can
cause those symptoms are treated at the
same time.
Training/Learning Methods
(Time Required)
PRESENTATION AND QUESTION AND
ANSWER (20 MIN.)
The trainer should:
• Using the content in the left-hand
column, present each approach to
STI management.
• Ask Px:
What is needed for the etiologic
approach
Response: Patient must have
symptoms, provider must be able to
do a good physical examination and
take laboratory samples, there must
be skilled laboratory technicians, the
lab must have working equipment
and reagents, and the patient must
return for results later. The client
must be informed that it takes time
for results to return from the lab.
What is needed for the clinical
approach
Response: The patient must have
symptoms and a trained provider
must be able to take a history and do
a complete physical examination in a
private space.
What is needed for the syndromic
approach
Response: The patient must have
symptoms, and the provider must
have knowledge of the prevalence of
various STIs in the region, training
in the use of flowcharts or a guide to
Pathfinder International
110
Adolescent Curriculum