SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION/ REPRODUCTIVE TRACT INFECTION (STI/RTI)
Sexually transmitted infections and reproductive tract infections (STIs/RTIs) are an important public health problem in India. Individuals with STIs/RTIs have a significantly higher chance of acquiring and transmitting HIV. Moreover, STIs/RTIs are also known to cause infertility and reproductive morbidity. Controlling STIs/RTIs helps decrease HIV infection rates and provides a window of opportunity for counselling about HIV prevention and reproductive health. Provision of STI/RTI care services is a very important strategy to prevent HIV transmission and promote sexual and reproductive health under the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP).
Syndromic case management (SCM) with appropriate laboratory tests is the cornerstone of STI/RTI management. SCM is a comprehensive approach for STI/RTI control endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). This approach classifies STIs/RTIs into syndromes (easily identifiable group of symptoms and signs) and provides treatment for the most common organisms causing the syndrome. Flow charts are developed to guide the service provider for appropriate SCM. The SCM achieves high cure rates because it provides immediate treatment on the first visit and at little or no laboratory cost. It also provides the other important components of STI/RTI case management, namely treatment compliance and follow-up, counselling, partner treatment and condom promotion. Implementation of a standardised SCM simplifies training and supervision, reporting and drug management. However, SCM has its limitations as it is non-specific and tends to over-treat for certain syndromes. India instituted the syndromic management for STIs during the early 2000. It allowed the treatment of STI/RTI syndromes below the district level and has contributed towards reduction of cases of syphilis and many other bacterial STIs.
The key strategies for STI prevention and control are to
(a) interrupt transmission where it spreads fastest and
(b) Provide services for all who may need them.
People who have Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) have higher risk of HIV infections and hence the NACP provides quality standardized STI/ RTI services at Designated STI/RTI Clinic (DSRC), branded as Suraksha Clinic.
ANACS implements its STI/RTI programmes through one NACO supported Designated STI/RTI Clinic (DSRC), (Suraksha Clinic) at GBPH.
Services available at
DESIGNATED STI/RTI CLINIC (DSRC),(SURAKSHA CLINIC)
- VDRL Testing kits and Coloured coded Medicine kits as per the National programme is supplied by NACO. The pre-packaging of the drugs is being recognized as one of the global innovation in STI programme management.
- Clients coming to the clinic are counselled and tested.
- Linkages to care, support and treatment and other health services