1. Introduction
1.1 Public health challenges
The rise of sexually transmitted diseases in the UK is addressed as a public health concern due to the impact of the Pelvic transitory disease that can facilitate the transmission of HIV and other health diseases. (Government of UK, 2024). The high prevalence rate of sexually transmitted infections can sometimes lead to several health problems such as infertility and ectopic pregnancy that create a burden among adults.
Figure 1: STI in England in 2022
(Source: Gagliardi, 2024)
As per the figure, it has been analysed that STIs in England in 2022, as the majority of the cases are due to chlamydia. 51% of the cases found of chlamydia have been increased based on age (Gagliardi, 2024). In 2022 392,453 were diagnosed with strong STI among the residents of England, as the majority of these disorders occur due to syphilis and Gonorrhoea bacteria. The urgency related to this STI is occurring due to untreated STIs that lead to causes of health implications and a huge rise in microbial resistance which makes it more difficult to retreat.
1.2 Outline of Beattie’s model
addressed through individual prescriptions (Mohiuddin, 2020b). Based on the principles of this theory, individual perspective, proper counselling, community development, and raising awareness among minority communities are more effective. The impact of this Antimicrobial Resistance has become the most challenging factor among different ethnic groups that have been addressed through socio-economic changes and structural determinants among the health community. The application of this model helps to analyse STIs in different ways and serves different intervention approaches to reduce sexual transmission.
Figure 2: Beattie’s model
(Source: Sandra Gould et al., 2014)
2. Description of health protection
2.1 Outline the health protection and its broad principles of health protection
Health protection activities have played a major role in safeguarding the well-being of the individual and preventing the entrance of fatal diseases through human contact. As stated by Grabowski (2017), the concept of health protection is concerned with shielding individuals or groups from the impact of life-threatening diseases through advice from medical experts and the use of proper medication processes. Thus, health protection provides long-term relief from severe diseases and enhances the longevity of the patients. The broader principles of health protection activities include control over communicable diseases, application of Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (Caron et al., 2023). The principles of health protection mentioned above help patients in combating severe diseases like those inflicted by sexual transmission effectively.
2.2 Health protection related to the public health theory
The Beattie’s model has efficiently promoted the importance of optimum health and well-being among individuals. As stated by Jais et al. (2023), Beattie’s model provides a wide range of options like social, digital and print media that is utilised by medical professionals in promoting the importance of health and safety among consumers. Therefore, it has been stated that one of the major aims of Beattie’s model is to create channels that are utilised by health officials for spreading awareness about personal well-being among consumers. In the current context, sexual transmission diseases have been spreading rapidly among the residents in the UK and is termed as a serious health issue for the residents.
Figure 3: Channels used for generating awareness regarding sexually transmitted diseases
(Source: Koray et al., 2022)
From the viewpoint of Silva et al., (2022), awareness regarding the sexual transmission of diseases is generated among the masses by health officials and medical practitioners with the help of advertisements through media channels like Facebook and Television. Hence, with the help of the awareness generated by health officials regarding the fatality of the sexual transmission diseases, the menace is expected to be controlled within the public in the United Kingdom.
2.3 Ethical dilemmas in relation to the health protection practice
The presence of ethical dilemmas in health protection practices often derails the medication practices provided to the patients. As stated by Tulchinsky (2019), uncertainty on the ethical front often occurs in healthcare practices due to the rigidity shown by the patients in undertaking the treatment process. Resistance from patients from undertaking treatment processes arises from social and economic barriers provided by the stakeholders that cause ethical uncertainty regarding the health protection activities. In the current scenario, patients infected with sexual transmission diseases often resist the treatment process owing to the high cost associated with the medication. As stated by Schnitzler et al. (2021), the cost of the treatment process related to sexually transmitted diseases in developed countries like the UK is valued at £165 million per year, which is not feasible for low-income people. Hence, due to the high price associated with the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, patients have shown resistance in undergoing the treatment process and have raised their ethical dilemma regarding the health protection activity prominently.
2.4 Case study related to health protection intervention
As per a study focused on the UK healthcare sector, it has been stated that sexually transmitted diseases have been a serious threat to the people in the country. The disease has engulfed around 20% of the UK population and has been a severe threat towards the longevity of the people in the nation (Hughes and Field, 2015). The UK government has established GUM clinics to ensure proper monitoring of causes related to sexually transmitted diseases in the United Kingdom. Hence, it has been stated that with the help of strict monitoring institutions, cases related to sexually transmitted diseases are overcome prudently. This topic is often explored in healthcare assignments, where students analyze the impact of government policies and healthcare interventions on public health.
2.5 Suitability of health protection in solving
In the current scenario, it has been stated that with the help of the services provided in terms of health education and awareness programmes have aided in generating concerns about diseases among the public. Medical reforms have been provided in the UK to help the public in overcoming the impact of sexually transmitted diseases prominently.
3. Critical analysis of the individual changes
3.1 Outline the individual change
The individual change in reducing the STI is associated with the regular testing process, communicating with the partners, and understanding the reason for the symptoms to prevent Sexually transmitted diseases (Koray et al., 2022). The people who are diagnosed with this sexual disease must undergo a vaccination process to prevent the spread of the virus. The principles of the individual change to deal with the STI infection by participating in the self-awareness program and dealing with the long-lasting prevention process to deal with the diseases. The proper action plan, taking vaccination at the proper time, and also adopting guidelines for reducing sexual transmitted diseases and risk of infertility.
3.2 Relation of individual change with public health theory
As per the application of Beattie’s model, the health promotion intervention is more effective based on accessing individual perception. As per the individual aspects, the UK government has provided a public campaign to protect STIs by serving individuals with STIs awareness and prevention programs to overcome this disease (Government of UK, 2017). The impact of this awareness helps young adults to deal with the right testing process which in turn improves infertility and lowers the infection of the Females. The treatment of STI programs requires huge funding, as the government has taken “ sexual health funding services” by analysing the data of the young people that have been addressed encountering the risks (Parliament of UK, 2024). Face-to-face recommendations and universal STI testing are more effective and the greater priority of “relationships and sex education” is more concerned in higher education.
3.3 Ethical Dilemmas in encounter individual Changes
The ethical challenges faced by the Public Health Practitioner (PH) related to sexually transmitted diseases in the UK are privacy and confidentiality issues, serving misinformation, lack of collecting resources, and discrimination. As stated by Tegegne et al. (2022), the PH practitioner maintains confidential information of the patients, as the practitioners have to maintain clear information to address the risk regarding disclosure. PH practitioners need to maintain patient decisions regarding STI infection, as balancing patient rights is more effective based on analysing the resource availability. PH practitioners serve relevant authorities by analysing the trends of STIs and supporting them with a prevention process to resolve the widespread of these diseases.
3.4 Discussion of a case study of individual change intervention
Gonorrhoea has become a public concern that has risen day by day leading to the high resistance of antibiotics that can be untreated in the future. In UK schools, well equipped with the comprehensive education in the school by undertaking safer prevention practices regarding analysing sexual health.. The prevalent cases of STI positive test have been carried out based on gonorrhoea 41.9% and HIV/AIDS 6.5% that in term raises the rate of the mortality (Nzoputa, Adam and Nzoputa, 2022). The challenges related to sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK has occurred due to Asymptomatic cases, spreading of antimicrobial diseases and due to the ineffective privacy concern.
3.5 Suitability of Individual change in resolving sexual transmitted diseases in UK
The multi-pronged approach taken by the NHS, as reproduction health promotion is more effective and taking prevention regarding STI (Government Of UK, 2020). Addressing public health initiatives and encountering social changes that leads to better decision making. The limitation with respect to individual changes, as lack in healthcare access and parental behaviour can lead to better self-care practices. Dealing with the social change practices by promoting health practices that leads to better decision making by providing vaccination.
4. Community Development
4.1 Outline community development and its principles of community development
The community development process refers to collaborative culture that aims to improve community well-being and quality of life with long term sustainability. It empowers individuals and groups to take collective action to solve problems and improve social conditions of the community. As per the view of Ife (2016), the key principle associated with community development is “empowerment, human rights, inclusion, social justice, self-determination and collective action”. as it is also helpful to developing the capacity of individuals and communities to recognize as well as respond to their own needs for maintaining a better life. The key aspect of community development also effectively ensures equal opportunity in promoting diversity regardless of background and circumstances for development projects. The collaboration encourages partnership and mutual alliance between various stakeholders, such as government agencies, non-profit organisations and community members. For instance, the alliance with the National Healthcare Service (NHS) by the local government body of the UK also reveals a primary critical care unit with additional investment of £8.6bn over two years (Government of UK, 2023). Thus, specific collaboration towards community development also increases the key suitability of community towards improving health care service in an effective manner.
4.2 Community development in relation to public health theory
The community development and public health theory are effectively interconnected towards implementing crucial changes in healthcare service. The key aspect of Beattie’s framework also emphasises the importance of understanding health as a social phenomenon influenced by various factors other than individual behaviour, such as social, economic and environmental factors. The intervention of Beattie theoretical framework is holistic in nature as it is interlinked about different public health strategies that are helpful for community developed prospects (Mohiuddin, 2020). Community health can be protected through legislative initiatives, such as the implementation of comprehensive sex education in schools and the promotion of affordable contraception (Lameiras-Fernández et al., 2021). Personal counselling can discuss individual needs for sexual health services and options. Community development plays a key role in empowering communities to identify their sexual health needs, manage accessible health services and make informed decisions together, contributing to the wider reduction of STDs.
4.3 Ethical challenges faced by the PH practitioners
Public health professionals working in the field of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) face a number of ethical challenges arising from the sensitivity of sexual health and the potential impact on communities. The confidentiality and privacy issue are paramount because disclosing a person’s STD status without their consent also leads to stigma, discrimination and harm to personal information (Ismail et al., 2021). In addition, physicians must also balance their responsibility to inform sexual partners of potential STD exposure while respecting patient autonomy and confidentiality. The estimated annual cost of major STDs in the United States is $10 billion, or if sexually transmitted HIV infections are included, $17 billion (Tilson et al., 2004). As this lack of equitable access to STD testing, treatment and prevention services also make dynamic challenges in reducing biases of disease prevention activities especially for marginalised and vulnerable populations (Tilson et al., 2004).In addition, addressing cultural and social norms around sexual health can be complex and requires sensitivity, cultural expertise and commitment from community stakeholders associated in the UK. About 392,000 cases of sexually transmitted diseases were diagnosed this year, of which chlamydia accounted for almost 51% of the community (Statista, 2023). In addition, more than a fifth of diagnosed cases were gonorrhoea, making it challenging for public health workers to measure a wide range of community issues effectively. Overall, health professionals must adhere to the ethical principles of respect, autonomy, benevolence and justice in treating venereal diseases, promoting sexual health and advocating for equal access to care and support in the UK community.
4.4 Case study related to community development intervention
A UK study focused on preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases found a significant increase in the number of sexually transmitted diseases among young adults aged 16-24. Gonorrhoea cases increased by 32% from 2018 to 2020, while chlamydia cases increased by 15% percent during the same period (Fu et al., 2022). The accomplishment was a community-based intervention that included targeted education campaigns, easy-to-use testing services, and peer-led outreach programs to improve healthcare. After the intervention, reported cases of STD in the target age group clearly decreased by 20%, demonstrating the effectiveness of a comprehensive prevention strategy (Fu et al., 2022).
4.5 Suitability community development regarding reduce sexual transmitted diseases in the UK
Community development is well suited to reducing STDs in the UK because it focuses on community empowerment and the social determinants of health. Thus, community development can effectively target the causes of STD transmission by engaging communities in identifying their sexual health needs, promoting education, and increasing access to testing and treatment services. In addition, community-based interventions promote collaboration between stakeholders, promote behaviour change and create sustainable solutions tailored to the specific needs and challenges of different communities (Castillo, 2019). As a result, it will become the most viable step to resolute STD prevention in the UK.
5. Synthesis
5.1 Interpretation of arguments on three practice domains
5.1.1 Strengths and weaknesses of HP, ID AND CD
| Aspect | Health Promotion (HP) | Individual-level Intervention (ID) | Community Development (CD) |
| Strengths | Utilises mass media campaigns and educational programs to raise awareness | Offers personalised counselling and interventions tailored to individual needs | Empowers communities to identify and address health challenges collaboratively (Haldane et al., 2019). |
| Promotes healthy lifestyles and behaviours through targeted messaging and resources | Targets specific behaviours or risk factors for intervention | Establishes partnerships and collaborations for sustainable health initiatives | |
| Weaknesses | Relies on individuals’ motivation to adopt healthy behaviours | May overlook systemic issues or structural barriers affecting health outcomes | Requires substantial time, resources, and community engagement to achieve meaningful impact (De Weger et al., 2018) |
| Not effectively address cultural or social determinants of health | Limited in scope and scalability, may not reach all individuals in need | Challenges in fostering consensus and participation among diverse community stakeholders (Curșeu and Schruijer, 2017). | |
| Faces challenges in reaching marginalised or underserved populations | May not address underlying social inequalities contributing to health disparities | Potential for conflicting priorities and interests among community members and organisations |
Table 1: Strength and weakness of HP, ID AND CD
5.1.2 Balanced or Imbalanced Practices In terms of PH practices and challenges to overcome holistic intervention
The balanced practices of Health promotion include behavioural counselling and self-management approach to address chronic diseases. The prolonged approach is more effective, as accessibility related to the Sex health services are more effective including open communication and uses of the different precaution techniques are more important to prevent widespread of these diseases. Based on individual intervention, providing proper education related to STIs and its transmission protocols are maintained by serving prevention campaigns (Leung et al., 2019). Online resources are more effective through the STI Screening process and endure with partner treatment to manage long-term chronic health situations. Concerning the community developmental program, as community outreach, social media marketing and women empowerment programs regarding STIs. These are more effective regarding the widespread use of this disease and in term carry out the healthy approach that reduces the risk of these diseases (Juyani et al., 2022). The reason for the change in practices is domain HP, IC and CD by improvising the new diagnostic process of STIs and carrying out the informed decision through Early intervention process and technological adaptation to ensure better practices. This in term encounters change practices by increasing the rate of testing STIs and through early diagnosis that improve the sex outcome. Advanced diagnostic techniques are more important that encounter necessity changes and caressing through increasing awareness.
6. Conclusion
Sexually transmitted diseases have been a cause of concern for health practitioners in developed countries like the UK. Therefore, there is a need for the proper execution of health protection activities in the country. Resistance has been shown on the part of the patients in undergoing treatment for the concerned issue owing to the cost associated with the medical process. However, the UK government has also taken steps to generate awareness among people regarding the fatalities of sexually transmitted diseases with the help of digital and social media platforms efficiently. Therefore, it has been concluded that the government has been alert about the severity of the diseases in the UK.
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