Disrupted sense of self: young women and sexually transmitted infections

Abstract

Nurses providing care to women with sexually transmitted infections should promote positive coping strategies that could help curb non-disclosure and denial among young women who contract these infections. Education focused on sexually transmitted infections should emphasis that all sexually active individuals are at risk of these infections, which could potentially minimise the shame felt by persons who contract these infections. Further, recognition of the gender issues that limit women's ability to practise safer sex should be incorporated into safer sex education and campaigns.