Date of Award
Summer 8-2019
Document Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Nursing
Program Affiliation
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
First Advisor
Dr. Joanna Sikkema
Second Advisor
Dr. Kris Hendrickx
Abstract
Background: Syphilis cases among both men and women in Minnesota have been increasing over the past ten years. Currently, there are recommended screening practices for early detection and treatment of syphilis, however they are required only in pregnancy to prevent the devastating consequences of congenital syphilis. This DNP project was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational program and screening reminders to promote increased syphilis screening practices among, ARNP primary health care providers in two community clinics for high risk men and women.
Objective: The purpose of this DNP project was to increase syphilis screening-rates of high-risk men and women within two family practice clinics by 10% at the end of a 3 months period.
Methodology: A quasi-experimental study design was utilized. All ARNP health care providers working at two primary care clinics were invited to participate in the project. Participants completed a pretest evaluating their knowledge base of the occurrence, incidence, and screening of syphilis. Participants then attended a 30-minute power point presentation on syphilis. A posttest was sent out 6 weeks after the presentation. The project also included visual exam room reminders to screen for syphilis.
Results: Twelve nurse practitioners working (full or part-time) in the two primary care clinics participated in the project. Data revealed that only 41.7% of the providers screened for syphilis during the annual physicals of both men and women. The number of providers that asked for patient’s sexuality went up from two to six out of the total twelve providers.
Conclusions: The data was inconclusive as to whether there was an increase in syphilis screening after the educational programming. The changes observed in practice from the data collected were not statistically significant and it is presumed that a longer post intervention data collection could potentially produce a significant increase in the screening.
Recommended Citation
Mulubisha, Zillah, "A Strategy for Increasing Syphilis Screening in High-Risk Men and Women" (2019). Nursing Capstones. 282.
https://commons.und.edu/nurs-capstones/282