This course is designed for nurses working in Western Cape Primary Health Care facilities. It is a competency skills development course which contributes to the application for authorisation for STI medication prescribing. 



About the course

Course Design:
Self-directed online component & supervised consultation                          logbook. 


Duration: 
It will take 4 hours to complete the online component.


Eligibility for this course: 

  • Professional nurses registered with SANC
  • Working in Western Cape  


Certification: 
Participants need 75% pass mark for final quiz.


Published: 
April 2024

Course curriculum

The following topics are covered in this course:

  • Chapter 1: STI basics
    • Epidemiology
    • Risk groups
    • Transmission
    • Pathogenesis
  • Chapter 2: STI prevention
    • Medical ways to prevent STI transmission
  • Case 1: Sivuyile 
    • Abnormal vaginal discharge
  • Chapter 3: Approach to the symptomatic client
    • Assess
    • Advise
    • Treat
  • Chapter 4: Syndromic management
    • Syndromic management of STIs
      • Genital symptoms in a man
      • Vaginal symptoms
      • Other genital symptoms
    • Pharmacology (indications, side effects, cautions and contraindications)
  • Case 2: Hendrik
    • Genital ulcer
  • Case 3: Tom
    • Partner notification slip (asymptomatic client)
  • Other genital symptoms activity
    • Scrotal swelling
    • Testicular cancer (as part of differential diagnosis)
    • Balanitis/balanoposthitis
    • Bubo
    • Genital warts
    • Molluscum contagiosum
    • Pubic lice
    • Genital scabies
  • Chapter 5: Vertical Transmission Prevention (VTP)
    • HIV
    • Syphilis
    • Hepatitis B
  • Case 4: Lindiwe
    • Positive syphilis result in pregnancy and VTP
  • Syphilis activity
  • Chapter 6: STI prescribing, monitoring and evaluation
    • Integrated Clinical Stationery (ICS)
    • HIV testing and consent (HTS)
    • Cytology form (NHLS)
    • STI partner notification slip

This course was developed by the Knowledge Translation Unit (KTU) of the University of Cape Town and The Health Foundation South Africa (THF).