Purpose for the program: Pride, Polish & Protect is a community based outreach educational initative to decrease the sexual transmitted infections in a low socioeconomic area.

Proposed change: is to decrease the number of sexually transmitted diseases. Teens and young adults have the highest rates of sexually transmitted idseases of any age group.  The CDC estimates that there are approximately 19 million new cases of STDs each year in the United States with almost half of them among young people age 15 to 24.  Chlamydia Trachomatis is the most commonly reported infectious disease in the United States and the most prevalent sexually transmitted bacterial infection worldwide.  In Pittsburgh, Pa chlamydia rates in 2009 were 6,597.  In Wilkinsburg, Pa the African American females ages 15 to 19 years had the highest total of reported cases in Pittsbugh.

Implementation, outcomes and evaluation: In 2007 the implementation of Pride, Polish & Protect was an attempt to educate woman on the ways to prevent STDs, contraceptive management and sexual responsibility. In an effort to assist woman in engaging in healhy behaviors the education was taken to the local nail salons.  In 2009 the program was expanded to community health fairs and local after school programs.  An incentive driven approach by using Prize Wheel to engage young women in education.  On the Prize Wheel each color represents a series of health related topics.  Upon the selection of a color by the participant, staff chose an appropriate question.  Once answered and discussed a prize is awarded and a chance for the grand raffle prize which is a manicure & pedicure at the local nail salon.  The success of this outreach program has been demonstrated by an increase of the number of woman scheduling appointments at the clinic and a reduction of STD rates in the community served. 

Implications for nursing practice: In order to reach woman nurses need to be creative in the way they engage and educate.

Keywords:   sexually transmitted infections, education, adolescents.