Final Recommendation Statement:

Behavioral Counseling Interventions to Prevent STIs

Final Recommendation Statement: Behavioral Counseling Interventions to Prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force released today a final recommendation statement on behavioral counseling interventions to prevent sexually transmitted infections. The Task Force recommends behavioral counseling for all sexually active teens and for adults who are at increased risk for STIs. To view the recommendation, the evidence on which it is based, and a summary for clinicians, please go here. The final recommendation statement can also be found in the August 18, 2020 online issue of JAMA.

The Final Recommendation Statement Is Available

FINAL RECOMMENDATION SUMMARY

See the full statement

Population

Recommendation

Grade

Sexually active adolescents and adults at increased risk

The USPSTF recommends behavioral counseling for all sexually active adolescents and for adults who are at increased risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). See the Practice Considerations section for more information on populations at increased risk for acquiring STIs.

WHY THIS MATTERS

"We hope it is helpful for people to know that evidence now supports a broader range of effective interventions than the prior recommendation," says Task Force member Melissa Simon, M.D., M.P.H. “People at risk for STIs can receive effective support through individual or group in-person counseling, telephone discussions, written materials, videos, websites, email, and text messages.”