Can you identify and use best practices in the prevention of STBBI transmission?

• A Core Competency in the Prevention of Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections (STBBIs)

Consider...
Ted operates an anonymous sexual health information line in a small town. One evening, a caller who identifies as transitioning from female to male inquires about the use of different methods to prevent STIs. Ted has little experience with transgendered individuals and struggles to address the individual's concerns and also to recall his training in new HIV prevention technologies.

Do you work in the area of sexual health or STBBI prevention and support? Are you able to identify, share and contextualize best practices in STBBI prevention?

Use the questions below to help you self-assess your knowledge, skills, attitudes and practices related to best practices in STBBI prevention. Remember that depending on your role, you may require different levels of proficiency for the various core competencies and it is possible that some of the competencies are not relevant to your work.

1. Are you comfortable and knowledgeable in describing the pros and cons of the various STI prevention technologies? Are you aware of the optimal prevention or risk management methods for different sexual practices?
2. Are you familiar with new prevention technologies?
3. Can you name some of the systemic, community and individual factors that may affect vulnerability to infection among some of the population groups you serve?
4. Do you know how to put clients at ease while gathering enough information to assess their unique situation and associated health-related needs?
5. Can you describe some characteristics of a "sex positive" approach to counselling and education?
6. Can you name several barriers that could limit the populations you serve from fully benefitting from a community harm reduction initiative?  Can you identify potential solutions?

Suggested resources:

• Canadian Guidelines on Sexually Transmitted Infections, Section 2: Primary Care and Sexually Transmitted Infections, Public Health Agency of Canada, 2010
• Factors Impacting Vulnerability to HIV and other STBBIs, CPHA, 2014
• Guidelines and Protocols for Comprehensive Primary Health Care for Trans Clients, Sherbourne Health Centre, 2009
• Part II: Service Providers' HIV Prevention Manual for African and African Caribbean Communities Living in Canada, by L. James, African and Caribbean Council on HIV/AIDS in Ontario and Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre, 2006
• A Guide to Taking a Sexual History, US Department of Health and Social Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

This is one of a series of cases on the core competencies for STBBI prevention. View all 26 cases on the core competencies for STBBI prevention.

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