The United States Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation on STI Counseling

The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends intensive behavioral counseling for all sexually active adolescents and for adults who are at increased risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), (B recommendation).

The USPSTF found adequate evidence that intensive behavioral counseling interventions reduce the likelihood of STIs in sexually active adolescents and in adults at increased risk. The USPSTF determined that this benefit is of moderate magnitude.

The USPSTF also found adequate evidence that intensive interventions reduce risky sexual behaviors and increase the likelihood of condom use and other protective sexual practices.

The USPSTF found adequate evidence that the harms of behavioral interventions to reduce the likelihood of STIs are small at most. The primary harm is the opportunity cost associated with intensive behavioral counseling.

Two background articles published in the Annals of Internal Medicine provide the scientific base for these recommendations. They can be downloaded at no cost at the following links:

PDF Behavioral counseling interventions to prevent sexually transmitted infections: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement

PDF Behavioral sexual risk-reduction counseling in primary care to prevent sexually transmitted infections: an updated systematic evidence review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force