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Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Kharkiv Region, Ukraine
World Services of La Crosse, Inc. hosted ten Community Connections participants from Ukraine for three weeks, June 18 – July 9, 2009. The Ukrainian professionals working with Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) prevention in Kharkiv region participated in the professional public health exchange with an opportunity to observe American evidence based STI practice, including medical and public health services (prevention, screening, and treatment), and the multi-sector approach to public health in the U.S.
The team worked with an extensive network of local community leaders, infectious disease, and prevention specialists in two Wisconsin cities, Madison and La Crosse, to provide examples of collaboration between local and state government, NGO’s, medical systems, civil society, and citizens to promote public health.
While in La Crosse WI, the delegates visited La Crosse Country Health Department where they had the opportunity to attend a La Crosse County Health and Human Services Board meeting. Ukrainian physicians also had the chance to visit Franciscan Skemp Health Care, Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, Student Health Clinic at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, Central High School, and greatly enjoyed participation in the training sessions on motivational interviewing at Viterbo University and patient counseling at Franciscan Skemp Family Medicine Residency. Options Clinic, a local federally funded family planning center, left a memorable impression, as described by delegate Natalia Kochetova: Options Clinic represents “..the best-designed approaches to family planning and disease prevention, where all the services are directed towards the clients’ needs.”
In Madison, the delegation was welcomed by Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Wisconsin Public Health Council, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), and AIDS Network. Several delegates wished they had more time to observe the work of the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, as they were impressed by the quality of laboratory work organization there.
Based on the information, knowledge, and experience received during the exchange program, the delegates developed a comprehensive action plan focused on, modifying the medical education curriculum, conducting community needs assessment, and implementing additional information-education programs on STIs, within the next six months in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Upon their return they plan to, prepare proposals for reformation of the health care system and modification of the clinical guidelines as relates to specific STIs, and share information about their experience in Wisconsin with their friends, colleagues, and the wider professional community.
The delegates intend to stay in contact with the professionals they met during the exchange and the local host families who opened their doors and hearts. Both impacted our guests’ perception of the U.S.A. and Americans for years to come.
To view more photos from the Ukraine delegation click here.