Program issues in delivering targeted STI services through the public sector in the Greater Mekong region. 2007

Nigel O'Farrell
Pasteur Suite, Ealing Hospital, London, Unted Kingdom. Nigel.ofarrell@lshtm.ac.uk

This review discusses the delivery of targeted STI services for both female sex workers (FSWs) and other high-risk groups through the public sector in the Greater Mekong region. Vaginal discharge algorithms for the general population are also discussed. High STI rates that justify targeted interventions have been reported recently amongst FSW in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam. Such interventions need to take into account the different patterns of sex work in the three countries. In Cambodia, there are large numbers of brothel-based FSWs although this pattern is changing as more brothels are closed by the authorities. In Lao PDR, services targeted towards reducing the burden of HIV/STI in FSW/service women are probably best delivered through NGO-led clinics. In Vietnam, commune based district health centers appear to offer better services for FSW than STI clinics. Male clients of FSW are an important group to target, but reaching such a heterogeneous population is difficult. Provision of quality STI drugs to those places where men present with STI symptoms should be a priority. The optimal way to manage STIs in FSWs is still unclear in this region. Clinical and laboratory specialists are keen to promote laboratory tests for STIs but there is an over reliance on direct staining techniques. In areas with high STI prevalences, periodic presumptive treatment could offer an effective option to reduce STI levels in high-risk groups until syndromic management algorithms are evaluated for local use. Social patterns of sex work are changing continually and require close monitoring in the future so that services can be adapted to these changes.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008541 Mekong Valley The geographic area of the Mekong Valley in general or when the specific country or countries are not indicated.
D011477 Sex Work The act or practice of engaging in sexual relations for money or other benefit. Commercial Sex,Prostitution,Sex Industry,Industries, Sex,Sex Industries,Sex, Commercial,Work, Sex
D011635 Public Health Administration Management of public health organizations or agencies. Administration, Public Health
D002575 Uterine Cervicitis Inflammation of the UTERINE CERVIX. Cervicitis,Cervicitides,Cervicitides, Uterine,Cervicitis, Uterine,Uterine Cervicitides
D003140 Communicable Disease Control Programs of surveillance designed to prevent the transmission of disease by any means from person to person or from animal to man. Flatten the Curve of Epidemic,Flattening the Curve, Communicable Disease Control,Parasite Control,Control, Communicable Disease,Control, Parasite
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000900 Anti-Bacterial Agents Substances that inhibit the growth or reproduction of BACTERIA. Anti-Bacterial Agent,Anti-Bacterial Compound,Anti-Mycobacterial Agent,Antibacterial Agent,Antibiotics,Antimycobacterial Agent,Bacteriocidal Agent,Bacteriocide,Anti-Bacterial Compounds,Anti-Mycobacterial Agents,Antibacterial Agents,Antibiotic,Antimycobacterial Agents,Bacteriocidal Agents,Bacteriocides,Agent, Anti-Bacterial,Agent, Anti-Mycobacterial,Agent, Antibacterial,Agent, Antimycobacterial,Agent, Bacteriocidal,Agents, Anti-Bacterial,Agents, Anti-Mycobacterial,Agents, Antibacterial,Agents, Antimycobacterial,Agents, Bacteriocidal,Anti Bacterial Agent,Anti Bacterial Agents,Anti Bacterial Compound,Anti Bacterial Compounds,Anti Mycobacterial Agent,Anti Mycobacterial Agents,Compound, Anti-Bacterial,Compounds, Anti-Bacterial
D012749 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Diseases due to or propagated by sexual contact. Venereal Diseases,STDs,STIs,Sexually Transmitted Infections,Disease, Sexually Transmitted,Disease, Venereal,Diseases, Sexually Transmitted,Diseases, Venereal,Infection, Sexually Transmitted,Infections, Sexually Transmitted,STI,Sexually Transmitted Disease,Sexually Transmitted Infection,Transmitted Infection, Sexually,Transmitted Infections, Sexually,Venereal Disease

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