The health behaviors and lifestyles (Phase 2)

The health behaviors and lifestyles that most clearly influence the outcome the community seeks that must be changed to affect the issues are sexual activity among adolescents and young adults, alcohol consumption, drug use, and smoking (Young, 2018). These health behaviors have been found to have a profound impact on the spread of STIs. The issue of drug use is a key component in this project because it indirectly affects the spread of STIs. Within Baltimore City, many adolescents and young adults are using drugs and alcohol as a form of self-medication to reduce DOMS, one of the important indicators for HIV infection. To reduce the risk of contracting an STD will require integrating prevention services to minimize the use of drugs and alcohol in adolescents, particularly identifying those at risk for contracting an STI.

The majority population that engages in risky sexual activity is teenagers who are most likely to contract an STD. The project will work with Baltimore City Public Schools to educate students about STDs. The Baltimore Health Department will distribute educational pamphlets in schools, a community worker or volunteer from the project will sit down with the students and answer their questions such as what are the risks of STIs, how long does it take for a person to develop an STD, and how early should you know if you have an impurity (Ware, 2019). The community worker or volunteer will also provide males and females with condoms, which can be used for low-risk sexual activities.