Title: Syndromic management of sexually transmitted diseases: is it rational or scientific?

POPLINE Document Number: 141414

Author(s):

Bosu WK

Source citation:

Tropical Medicine and International Health, 1999 Feb;4(2):114-9.

Abstract:

Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are of major public health importance since they mainly affect young adults, carry stigma, facilitate the transmission and acquisition of HIV, and can have costly complications. The World Bank estimates that for people aged 15-44 years, STDs excluding HIV are the second most important cause of healthy life lost among women after maternal mortality and morbidity. However, despite the importance of preventing and controlling STDs, they are of only low priority in many developing countries. Indeed, many such countries do not even have an effective STD control program. The control of STDs improves the reproductive and sexual health of afflicted individuals and lowers the community burden of HIV. Preventing STDs or their complications requires health education, condom promotion, and effective case management. Since clinical diagnosis is often incorrect and laboratory-confirmed etiological diagnosis is expensive, the syndromic management of STDs makes sense in resource-poor countries which lack trained personnel and laboratory facilities. Although the approach is simple in design, it nonetheless requires the regular monitoring and evaluation of protocols as well as the supervision and training of clinicians.

Keywords:

Developing Countries
Resources
Signs and Symptoms
Physical Examinations and Diagnoses
Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention
Treatment
Organization and Administration
Diseases
Examinations and Diagnoses
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Reproductive Tract Infections
Infections