Community Teaching Plan’s Observation
The community teaching plan proposed for implementation addresses homeless youths aged 16 to 25 who are members of the Church community. In particular, they belong to the Victory Community Church at 3402 W. Osborn Rd, Phoenix, AZ 853017, which they regularly visit for food and psychological and spiritual support. While volunteers have already organized lectures for homeless people to raise their awareness of various health conditions, it was decided to make education more targeted and efficient. In particular, a specific educational plan was prepared to address a specific population and conditions to improve public health and motivate participants to receive treatment. Therefore, a selected topic is sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the ways of their prevention, and health care services that provide medical assistance and assist in disease control.
For a learning session, 20 homeless youths were chosen based on their wish to be included, which they expressed after being asked during the Church’s visit. Most of them are expected to have specific experiences related to STIs. Therefore, their interest in the methods of prevention and medical services they may use in the future was predictable.
In general, the plan includes three main parts – first of all, youths were suggested to watch an educational film dedicated to various types of STIs and commonly used ways of their prevention. Subsequently, they were involved in a group discussion to enrich and share knowledge and avoid misunderstanding. Finally, all participants received leaflets containing information about non-profit organizations offering free medical services, STI testing, treatment, and control for homeless people. The plan aims to raise youths’ awareness of STIs and their prevention, and encourage the application of received information in practice to improve their health and public health.
Epidemiological Rationale for Topic
The topic’s rationale is determined by the growth of STI rates among youths and homeless youths in particular. According to the report prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the United States, approximately 20 million new cases of STIs are diagnosed every year, and almost 50% of them refer to young people between the ages of 15 and 24 (Woods et al., 2019). At the same time, homeless people, especially homeless youths, are more vulnerable to STIs compared with housed ones due to survival sex as intercourse in exchange for food or shelter, early sexual activity, and substance abuse that contribute to inconsistent condom use and having multiple sexual partners (Halverson et al., 2022; Santa Maria et al., 2018).
As a result, according to Williams and Bryant (2018), in the present day, the prevalence of STIs among homeless people is almost 53%. However, while a considerable number of homeless youths are generally aware of STIs and their prevention, in the majority of cases, they do not receive treatment due to an absence of knowledge about free medical services in their community, and they may use (Woods et al., 2019). That is why it is essential to educate them and help them improve their health.
Evaluation of Teaching Experience
In general, it is possible to say that the teaching experience was positive. All participants observed the video and answered the educator’s questions successfully. In addition, they all participated in a group discussion, sharing knowledge and personal stories related to the topic. Moreover, all youths expressed gratitude for the session and leaflets with information on medical services. At the same time, positive outcomes were determined by youths’ willingness to participate and an educator’s support, as well as an absence of prejudice or biases associated with STIs and participants’ potential infection.
Community Response to Teaching
As the results of a teaching plan were evaluated after approximately one month, it is possible to assume that the community’s response to the teaching was also positive. First, when former participants were asked about their experience, they expressed gratitude again. They reported sharing information about free services with other homeless youths who had not attended the session. Moreover, several non-profit organizations in the community were asked about their recent interactions with homeless youths with STIs. According to them, there is an increase in youth admissions, and new patients admitted who had received information about services in the Victory Community Church.
Areas of Strength and Areas for Improvement
The plan’s format and accessibility are its main strengths. Homeless youths receive an opportunity to gain essential knowledge in the place they attend regularly and appropriately, based on support, compassion, understanding, and respect for their dignity. Moreover, providing leaflets is an excellent technique for further information dissemination among people who are too shy to attend sessions dedicated to STIs.
At the same time, to improve the quality of education and its impact on the community and public health, it is possible to make sessions regular and enrich the plan with new activities or materials. Moreover, it will be efficient to collaborate with the most active participants to make them educators. With essential knowledge, these people may act as a link between the homeless community and non-profit organizations, such as the Victory Community Church, and persuade their peers to attend an educational session or visit non-profit organizations and receive medical help.
References
Halverson, M., Hatchimonji, D. R., Treglia, D., Flatley, C. A., Herbers, J. E., & Cutuli, J. J. (2022). Risky sexual behavior and STI testing among teens experiencing homelessness. Children and Youth Services Review, 139, 1-8. Web.
Santa Maria, D., Padhye, N., Yang, Y., Gallardo, K., & Businelle, M. (2018). Predicting sexual behaviors among homeless young adults: Ecological momentary assessment study. JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, 4(2), e39. Web.
Williams, S. P., & Bryant, K. L. (2018). Sexually transmitted infection prevalence among homeless adults in the United States: A systematic literature review. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 45(7), 494-504. Web.
Woods, N. K., Black, A., Burton, D., Payne, H., & Robertson, M. (2019). Improving the health of homeless youth through community-based sexual health promotion. Front Womens Health, 4, 1-3. Web.