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The STI Foundation (STIF) Course is an excellent educational programme designed to give physicians a comprehensive understanding of the foundations in sexual health.

The STI Foundation Theory Course was created by the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) but has included Dublin as a site for courses for many years.

It is made up of 3 parts; Foundation Theory One, Foundation Theory Two and Foundation Theory Three. It aims to equip participants with the basic knowledge, skills and attitudes for the diagnosis and management of common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and to know when and how to refer.

Who should attend STIF Theory Course?

• Doctors, nurses, registered midwives, physician associates, healthcare assistants in contraception/family planning, secondary care clinicians (who may encounter patients with STIs e.g. Obs & Gynae, rheumatology, ophthalmology, A&E etc.)

• GPs, practice nurses, health advisers, school nurses, pharmacists etc.

• Sexual healthcare professionals wishing to undertake STIF Competency training and assessment

Course Content

Course content will be delivered over 2 days on May 24th and 25th 2025.

‘Foundation One’

Introduction to the course                                                                                      

1.1     Basics of sexual health: What do we do and why are we here?                      

1.2     Sexual history, Recognition of Symptoms & Risk Assessment                        

1.3     Routine Diagnostic Tests & Physical Examination                                           

1.4     Partner Notification: Why it matters and how to signpost                  

1.5    HIV – Risk Assessment, Window Periods, Ways to Test                       

1.6    Sexual Health Promotion, Risk Reduction & Prevention                      

‘Foundation Two’

2.1     Genital Sores                                                                       

2.2     Vaginal Discharge                                                               

2.3     Young People & Sexual Health                                           

2.4     Urethral Discharge and Dysuria                                          

2.5     Working with GBMSM                                                        

2.6     Sexual Healthcare for Trans & Non-Binary People                                 

2.7    Domestic Abuse, Sexual Assault & Modern Slavery                                

‘Foundation Three’

3.1     Clinical HIV                                                                                     

3.2     Viral Hepatitis – An Overview                                                         

3.3     Genital Infections in Pregnancy                                                     

3.4     Syphilis                                                                                           

3.5     Condition Affecting the Genital Skin                                             

3.6     Female Genital Mutilation                                                             

3.7     Testicular pain &  Testicular Lumps                         3.8     Pelvic Pain