Sexually transmitted infections based on the syndromic approach in Gondar town, northwest Ethiopia: a retrospective study

Abstract

BackgroundSexually transmitted infections are among the most common causes of illnesses in the world and have far reaching health, social and economic consequences. They are important because of their magnitude, potential complications and interactions with HIV/AIDS. Though the problem may be generally similar to other developing countries, there is scarce information on the incidence and prevalence of sexually transmitted infections in Ethiopia. This study was then aimed to determine the magnitude of sexually transmitted infections among patients visiting a clinic in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsMedical records of patients who visited the clinic from January 2011 to December 2011 were reviewed. Sociodemographic and clinical data were extracted using data extraction form. The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 16 statistical package. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were carried out.ResultsA total of 1071 clients visited the clinic during the study period. Among these, 383 (35.8%) had complained symptoms of sexually transmitted infections. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 26.8 ± 7.4 years. The commonest chief complaints were vaginal discharge (38.4%) and urethral discharge (13.6%). Seventy seven percent of the cases did not bring their sexual partners for treatment.ConclusionThere was a high magnitude of STIs in the clinic according to the syndromic approach. However, the actual prevalence of STIs and the associated factors in the community need to be determined through further studies. The results of this study also urge the need for evaluation of the syndromic approach and test for antimicrobial resistance.

Young Women Sexual Behaviour and Self-Reported Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Northern Ethiopia: A Cross Sectional Study

“…The finding from this study is higher when compared with the 2011 EDHS report and school based study conducted in Addis Ababa [11,20]. The reasons for this can be 1) the young women recruited in our study were from health facilities that the probability of including cases seeking treatment is higher, 2) the EDHS survey was population based in which most interviewed young women could be healthy and 3) unlike the study conducted in Addis Ababa, this study had included only sexually active young women and excluded non-sexually active young women.…”

“…It is higher compared with study conducted in Addis Ababa high school adolescents, where 17.9% of the youths had knowledge of at least two symptoms of STDs [20]. Health institution based study may have caused such difference because youths who came to health institution may have accessed to information on STD from health providers.…”

Knowledge and Practice of Clinicians regarding Syndromic Management of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Public Health Facilities of Gamo Gofa Zone, South Ethiopia

“…Misdiagnosis and management have long lasting complications [3–6]. The magnitude of STIs is being increased from time to time and from place to place [1, 4, 7]. The objective of syndromic approach for STI management is to identify and treat a syndrome with combination therapy as well as education of the patient, condom supply, counseling, notification, and management of sexual partners and HIV counseling and testing (HCT).…”

Quality of Care for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Syndromic Case Management at Public Health Facilities of Gamo Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia

“…[3][4][5][6] Even though there is little information on the incidence and prevalence of STIs in Ethiopia, the problem of STIs is generally believed to be similar to other developing countries. 4,7 The aim of Syndromic approach is to identify and treat a syndrome with combination therapy which will also take care of the main causative pathogen. Ethiopia has been promoting Syndromic approach since 2001 by adopting the WHO generic guide lines to serve as a national guideline for the management of STIs: since then, trainings on Syndromic approach have been given for health care workers.…”