# Presentation: 241838

## Syphilis Elimination Plan Working Group (SEPWOG)Community Addressing Syphilis in Baltimore

- Sheridan Johnson
- Syphilis Elimination Project Coordinator

## Syphilis Elimination Plan Working Group (SEPWOG): Mission

- To identify barriers to implementing a Syphilis Rapid Response Plan
- To develop strategies to overcome barriers to implementation
- Publicize findings through a summary document
- Come together intermittently to address community participation in syphilis elimination

## SEPWOG: Importance

- For first time, community has a voice in directing syphilis prevention activities
- Generates understanding and collaboration around problem of syphilis in Baltimore

## Types of Organizations in SEPWOG

- Community residents
- Community-based organizations
- Community health care facilities
- Faith Community
- Academic institutions
- State Health Department
- City Health Department
- Other City Agencies

## SEPWOG Meetings

- A series of 6 meetings
- March – June 2000
- Small group brainstorming sessions

## SEPWOG Results: Barriers to Rapid Response Plan

- Lack of leadership in STD prevention
- Lack of community trust in health institutions
- No one acceptable definition of “community”
- Stigma associated with STDs
- Lack of readily available high-quality reproductive services
- Lack of explanatory data
- Inadequacy of traditional partner notification

## Barrier: Lack of Leadership for STD Prevention Activities

- Few Baltimore community programs directed at primary prevention of STDs
- Why?
- Perception that promoting safe sex means promoting increased sexual activity
- Competing public health priorities
- Little awareness of problem and solutions

## Lack of Leadership for STD Prevention Activities: Strategies

- Maintain SEPWOG activities
- Issue Requests for Proposals (RFPs) that focus on community groups working with high-risk populations
- Develop a network of grass-roots organizations for primary STD prevention

## Barrier: Lack of Community Trust in Health Institutions

- Private/Public Health Institutions do not have trust of communities they serve

## Lack of Community Trust in Health Institutions: Strategies

- Institutions must show respect for privacy, provide high-quality care
- Community-specific Rapid Response with community leaders/organizations
- Emphasize community partnership _before_ Rapid Response Team enters community

## Barrier: Stigma Associated with STDs

- Stigma causes shame/embarrassment
- Nobody wants to talk about STDs
- Information about prevention and care options do not “get out” into communities

## Stigma Associated with STDs:Strategies

- Initiate awareness programs through media
- Use different forums:
- Schools
- Department of Corrections
- Drug Treatment Programs
- Show “true faces” of affected community

## Summary of Recommendations

- Develop network of community groups focused on syphilis prevention
- Establish relations with communities, accept their partnership and leadership
- Increase access to syphilis testing and treatment and quality of services
- Augment existing data collection to include more behavioral and social data

## Results of SEPWOG

- Raised awareness of syphilis problem in community
- Formed strong partnerships between Health Department and community
- Formed strong partnerships between members of SEPWOG
- Began the process of building syphilis prevention leadership in Baltimore community

## Rapid Response Plan

- This document was generated using the ideas and input of SEPWOG meetings
- All subsequent rapid response team efforts have followed the plan
- Community has provided input during entire process-development to implementation

## Community Participation: Integral to Rapid Response in Baltimore

- Most recommendations have been or are currently being implemented
- SEPWOG served as model for subsequent community participation—South Baltimore and Penn-North
- Generated sense of ownership, momentum in community