Regional strategy for the prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections: 2007-2015
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Abstract
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major cause of preventable illness, disability and premature mortality in the South-East Asia Region. However, despite their overall high incidence and prevalence, several countries in the Region have managed to reduce the spread and even eliminate some STIs altogether. Where this has been successful, countries have also made progress in slowing or reversing HIV epidemics. This publication describes the diversity of STI epidemics in the Region, and highlights opportunities for strengthening control efforts. It builds on regional successes and introduces new approaches endorsed in WHO's global STI strategy. It describes how countries can take concrete steps to: "Reduce the incidence of STIs in high-risk networks where most transmissions take place; "Improve STI services to further reduce morbidity and mortality, and " Strengthen STI surveillance to provide reliable data to guide the response. The publication also introduces several initiatives with targets for control or elimination of specific STIs including syphilis and chancroid. Other sections address strengthening of HIV-related services, roll-out of effective vaccines, access to drugs and appropriate technology, and planning for scale. Milestones are proposed for countries and for the Region. The strategy put forth in the publication is intended for programme managers and others contributing to the national response. The potential benefits of STI control are many, including contribution to reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for improving maternal and child health (MDGs 4 and 5), and for halting and reversing HIV epidemics (MDG 6).Citation
World Health Organization. Regional Office for South-East Asia. (2007). Regional strategy for the prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections: 2007-2015. WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/205845