International Journal of Health & Allied Sciences

SHORT COMMUNICATION
Year
: 2020  |  Volume : 9  |  Issue : 1  |  Page : 90--91

Prevention and control of the sexually transmitted infections worldwide: Need of the hour


Saurabh RamBihariLal Shrivastava1, Prateek Saurabh Shrivastava2,  
1 Vice Principal Curriculum, Member of the Medical Education Unit and Institute Research Council, Department of Community Medicine, Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth–Deemed to be University, Ammapettai, Nellikuppam, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, India
2 Department of Community Medicine, Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth–Deemed to be University, Ammapettai, Nellikuppam, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, India

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Saurabh RamBihariLal Shrivastava
Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth – Deemed to be University, Tiruporur - Guduvancherry Main Road, Ammapettai, Nellikuppam, Chengalpet, Kancheepuram - 603 108, Tamil Nadu
India

Abstract

Sexually transmitted infections have been regarded as one of the major global public health problems owing to its immense impact on the sexual and reproductive health of adults and children. The available global estimates depict that more than 360 million infections are being reported on an annual basis. It is an eye opener for all the concerned stakeholders to together plan and take concerted efforts to ensure that all the people who are in need of the health services receives the same either to prevent or get cured of the disease. The role of health workers will be of extreme importance as they have to not only take measures towards the reduction in the incidence of the disease, but also work together to eliminate the stigma and other barriers associated with infections and reporting of the same. In conclusion, sexually transmitted infections continue to remain an endemic public health concern globally and it is the need of the hour to strengthen the prevention and control measures for containment of the infections.



How to cite this article:
Shrivastava SR, Shrivastava PS. Prevention and control of the sexually transmitted infections worldwide: Need of the hour.Int J Health Allied Sci 2020;9:90-91


How to cite this URL:
Shrivastava SR, Shrivastava PS. Prevention and control of the sexually transmitted infections worldwide: Need of the hour. Int J Health Allied Sci [serial online] 2020 [cited 2024 Mar 28 ];9:90-91
Available from: https://www.ijhas.in/text.asp?2020/9/1/90/275659


Full Text



 Introduction



Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have been regarded as one of the major global public health problems owing to its immense impact on the sexual and reproductive health of the women, including complications and on the children.[1] These infections are being linked with infertility, cervical cancer, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirths, neonatal conjunctivitis, congenital anomaly, and an augmented risk of HIV. Besides, on the social front, a significant amount of stigma and domestic violence has been also attributed to these infections.[1]

Magnitude of the problem

The available global estimates depict that each day, over 1 million new cases of these infections are being reported among people in the reproductive age group, which cumulatively accounts for more than 376 million infections on an annual basis.[1] Further, it has been reported that at any point of time, 1 out of 25 people worldwide has one or multiple infections.[1] These are alarming estimates and clearly indicate that the health sector has failed to stop the transmissions of STIs across the globe.[2] It is important to note that no significant decline has been observed pertaining to the incidence or prevalence of the disease.[2]

Strengthening of available services

In fact, it is an eye-opener for all the concerned stakeholders to together plan and take concerted efforts to ensure that all the people who require the health services receive the same either to prevent or get cured of the disease.[1],[2] There is an immense need to strengthen safe sexual practices, which essentially comprises correct and consistent use of condoms and education about sexual health.[1] Simultaneously, the efforts have to be taken to expand the screening activities and ensure that all sexually active population is screened for these infections.[1] In addition, for a better outcome, it becomes quite essential that affordable and easily accessible laboratory testing methods are available.[2] In some of the settings, the approach of self-collection of samples has been adopted and encouraging results have been obtained.[3]

Another important dimension is the availability of the medicines required for the treatment of the infections and it is of utmost importance to warrant that there is no shortage in the supply of drugs.[1],[2] Further, emphasis should be given toward partner notification (contact tracing) to identify all high-risk groups of people.[4] Moreover, at no stage, the role of counseling and behavioral modification can be undermined and these interventions should be targeted toward risk reduction, condom promotion, and bridge population (high-risk groups).[2],[4] Furthermore, we should always look to customize the counseling or information as per the needs of the beneficiaries.[2],[4]

The role of health workers will be of extreme importance as they have to not only take measures toward the reduction in the incidence of the disease but also work together to eliminate the stigma and other barriers associated with infections and reporting of the same.[1],[2] This directly specifies the need to strengthen the surveillance system to enable precise reporting of all the cases, which will aid in the formulation of evidence-based strategies.[1] Finally, we will be in the need of expansion of research activities to strengthen prevention, diagnostic/therapeutic modalities, and the quality of care offered.[1]

 Conclusion



In conclusion, STIs continue to remain an endemic public health concern globally, and it is the need of the hour to strengthen the prevention and control measures for containment of the infections.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

References

1World Health Organization. More than 1 million new curable sexually transmitted infections every day. World Health Organization; 2019. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/06-06-2019-more-than-1-million-new- curable-sexually-transmitted-infections-every-day. [Last accessed on 2019 Sep 08].
2Shrivastava SR, Shrivastava PS. Talking about sexual health: Need of the hour to contain sexually transmitted infections. MAMC J Med Sci 2018;4:107-8.
3Ogale Y, Yeh PT, Kennedy CE, Toskin I, Narasimhan M. Self-collection of samples as an additional approach to deliver testing services for sexually transmitted infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Glob Health 2019;4:e001349.
4Wynn A, Moucheraud C, Moshashane N, Offorjebe OA, Ramogola-Masire D, Klausner JD, et al. Using partner notification to address curable sexually transmitted infections in a high HIV prevalence context: A qualitative study about partner notification in Botswana. BMC Public Health 2019;19:606.