Public Awareness Campaign
Sample Solution
Social Media Materials for a Public Awareness Campaign on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Target Audience: Middle and late adolescents
Platform: TikTok
Topic: Gonorrhea
Signs and Symptoms
Gonorrhea is a bacterial STI that can infect the genitals, rectum, and throat. The most common signs and symptoms of gonorrhea in men are:
- Pain or burning when peeing
- Discharge from the penis
- Painful or swollen testicles
Full Answer Section
Social Media Materials for a Public Awareness Campaign on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Target Audience: Middle and late adolescents
Platform: TikTok
Topic: Gonorrhea
Signs and Symptoms
Gonorrhea is a bacterial STI that can infect the genitals, rectum, and throat. The most common signs and symptoms of gonorrhea in men are:
- Pain or burning when peeing
- Discharge from the penis
- Painful or swollen testicles
In women, the most common signs and symptoms of gonorrhea are:
- Pain or burning when peeing
- Vaginal discharge
- Painful intercourse
- Bleeding between periods
Gonorrhea can also cause symptoms in the rectum, such as pain, discharge, or bleeding.
How to Describe the Signs and Symptoms in a Way That Gets the Point Across to the Target Audience Without Being Overly Graphic or Sensationalistic
Here is a way to describe the signs and symptoms of gonorrhea to middle and late adolescents without being overly graphic or sensationalistic:
Hey teens, did you know that gonorrhea is a common STI that can affect people of all ages, but it's especially common among young people? Gonorrhea can cause a lot of uncomfortable and even painful symptoms, so it's important to get tested and treated right away if you think you might have it.
Here are some of the signs and symptoms of gonorrhea:
- For guys: It might hurt or burn when you pee, or you might notice a discharge from your penis. Your testicles might also be painful or swollen.
- For girls: You might also feel pain or burning when you pee, or you might have a vaginal discharge. Intercourse might be painful, and you might bleed between periods.
- For both guys and girls: Gonorrhea can also infect your rectum, which might cause pain, discharge, or bleeding.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to get tested for gonorrhea right away. You can get tested at your doctor's office, a Planned Parenthood clinic, or another local health clinic.
Potential Short- and Long-Term Implications if an STI Goes Untreated
If gonorrhea is left untreated, it can cause a number of serious health problems, including:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in women: PID can cause infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and other health problems.
- Epididymitis in men: Epididymitis is inflammation of the epididymis, a tube that carries sperm from the testicles. It can cause pain, swelling, and tenderness in the scrotum.
- Arthritis: Gonorrhea can cause arthritis, a painful inflammation of the joints.
- Increased risk of HIV transmission: People with gonorrhea are at increased risk of contracting and transmitting HIV.
What Should Young People Do if They Think They Might Have an STI?
If young people think they might have an STI, they should get tested right away. They can get tested at their doctor's office, a Planned Parenthood clinic, or another local health clinic.
Where Should They Go? What Clinics Are There in Your Community?
Here are some clinics in the United States where young people can get tested and treated for STIs:
- Planned Parenthood
- County health departments
- Federally qualified health centers
- University health centers
- Some private doctors' offices
What Kind of Treatments Might They Expect?
Gonorrhea is usually treated with antibiotics. The type and dosage of antibiotics will depend on the severity of the infection and the person's individual medical history.
TikTok Video
Here is a sample TikTok video that could be used to raise awareness of gonorrhea among middle and late adolescents:
Video:
A young person is sitting in their bedroom, looking at the camera.
Young person: Do you know the signs and symptoms of gonorrhea? It's a common STI that can affect people of all ages, but it's especially common among young people.
Video:
The young person starts to list the signs and symptoms of gonorrhea, using emojis to illustrate each point:
- Pain or burning when peeing 💩🔥
- Discharge from the penis or vagina 💧
- Painful intercourse Ouch!
- Bleeding between periods 🩸⚠️
Young person: If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to get tested for gonorrhea right away. You can get tested at your doctor's office, a Planned Parenthood clinic, or another local health clinic.
Video:
The young person flashes a graphic of a website where people can find STI testing clinics in their community.
Young person: Gonorrhea is a treatable infection, but it's important to get tested and treated