Prevention of and education about exually transmitted diseases (STD), now more commonly called sexually transmitted infections (STI), are two main goals of the Douglas County STD Initiative (DCSI). DCSI is a coalition of 40+ organizations dedicated to educating the public about STDs and providing testing and treatment to infected individuals.

Individuals and groups work together at traditional and non-traditional venues to test, treat and educate. Traditional venues are places like Douglas County Health Department, Charles Drew Health Center, One World Health Center, Nebraska AIDS Project, Planned Parenthood and most physician practices and clinics. Non-traditional venues include screening and education events that bring teens and young adults to outreach events at community centers, schools, churches and any convenient locale. Such events have been facilitated by Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership, Charles Drew Health Center, North Omaha Area Health and local universities – to name a few.

Partnerships and learning activities in conjunction with local health care education programs, the Medical Reserve Corps, the 100 Black Men of Omaha, and others have allowed many dedicated people to assist in delineating the issues and developing plans to reduce the epidemic rates of Gonorrhea and Chlamydia in the Douglas County metropolitan area.

During the Spring 2010 semester students from Creighton University’s School of Nursing conducted a survey to determine attitudes about sexually transmitted infections and sexual literacy. The following report reflects their findings. Authors of the study are Rynae Headid and .Kelly Spencer.

Key Findings from STD Survey

The majority of the participants were female (43).  Most of the population came from the 68111 area of Douglas County [though there was good distribution across many zip codes]. The ages of the participants varied, but the majority were between the ages of 15 and 19. When asked about their beliefs regarding sexuality most of answered that they thought sex was okay in a committed relationship (55).  At least half of the participants also said that they would be okay with their parents knowing they were sexually active and that it was okay to have sex with someone you loved. Only 12 participants thought it was okay to have sex casually with anyone they choose.
                When asked how people their age regarded sex the majority (42) agreed that people their age thought having sex was a normal part of being a teenager. Half of the participants thought that people their age were having sex with one partner and the other half thought that people their age were having sex with multiple partners.  Most of the participants thought their peers used condoms during vaginal intercourse, but many do not believe their peers use condoms during oral and anal sex.  The majority of the participants agreed that using condoms when engaging in sexual intercourse was important. However having condoms available when going out was not a priority for many of the participants.
                When asked if they would still use a condom in they or their partner were on other forms of birth control over half of the participants (57) said yes.  Most also said that they would use a condom even if their partner appeared to be clean [not infected with and STD].  The participants believed that one obstacle related to using condoms is that their peers think sex without a condom feels better. Most of the participants did not feel that faith or the concern of being teased [by peers or partner] keeps their peers from buying condoms. Half did say that drugs and alcohol may keep their peers from using condoms.
                Half of the participants felt that they had good education about practicing safe sex from their parents and from their school. The majority also knew where to go to get tested (56). Transportation, money and social image did not appear to be reasons for not getting tested.  Most said that they would get tested at an event if it [testing]was free. The majority of the participants claimed that they did not feel pressured to have sex. The majority also said they did not have sex to feel safe, cope with depression, or as a way to escape their worries.

According to the authors they think “what we can take away from this survey is that we need to let young people know the importance of being prepared. They need education on how to protect themselves during nontraditional sexual activities [oral and anal sex].