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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Sexually Transmitted Infections: Behavioral Counseling

About this resource:

Systematic Review

Source: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

Last Reviewed: August 2020

Workgroups: Sexually Transmitted Infections Workgroup

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends behavioral counseling to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) for all sexually active adolescents and for adults who are at at an increased risk for getting STIs. Specifically, USPSTF recommends counseling that:

  • Is delivered in person (either individually or in a group setting)
  • Provides information about common STIs and how they're transmitted
  • Encourages and builds skills for practicing safe sex  
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Suggested Citation

1.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2020). Sexually Transmitted Infections: Behavioral Counseling. Retrieved from https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/sexually-transmitted-infections-behavioral-counseling