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Sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS - WHO documents

Training Course in Sexual and Reproductive Health Research 2014

Sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS

Module coordinators: Antonio Carlos Gerbase, Igor Toskin

Sexually transmitted infections (STI) are a major public health problem in developing as well as developed countries. The significant morbidity and mortality due to STI as well as the fact that STI disproportionately affect women, sexual minorities, (men who have sex with men, transgenders etc) young people and sex workers necessitate the particular attention of health service policy makers.

The synergy between HIV, the major STI, and the other STIs is also a major public health and individual issue and cannot be underestimated. Non HIV STI facilitate HIV transmission and, among other interfaces, share the same prevention measures.

It is hard to estimate the global burden of STI because of asymptomatic infections, the absence of diagnostic tools, and a weak system of surveillance for STI in many countries.

It is important to know that all STIs are preventable and most can be cured. Effective STI case management is the basis of sexually transmitted infections control. An appropriate clinical algorithm can break the chain of transmission from infected to non-infected persons.

Module content

• The STI epidemics, an introduction
• Epidemiology of STIs: factors, numbers and surveillance
• Controlling STIs epidemics: synergies between prevention and care
• STI case management
• STI and HIV prevention and care among MSM
• STI and HIV prevention and care among sex workers
• Sexual and reproductive health and human rights of people living with HIV /AIDS
• The global plan to eliminate mother to child transmission (eMTCT) of HIV: challenges in integration and of therapeutic strategies
• Dual elimination of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV and syphilis
• The global HIV/AIDS epidemic
• The synergy between HIV and other STIs
• Toward global prevention of sexually transmitted infections: the need for STI vaccines
• Elements for planning and management of STI prevention and care
• Improving monitoring and evaluation of STI/HIV programmes
• Visual inspection of the cervix with acetic acid (VIA) and Lugol’s iodine (VILI)

Assignment

The assignment for this module consists of two parts.

In the first part the participants are required to provide information on the overall situation in their countries in terms of sexually transmitted infections. The analysis should include information about the occurrence of STI (prevalence, incidence and health services data), current country strategies, prevention measures, care services and existing barriers and challenges. The status of the relation of STI and HIV/AIDS prevention and care interventions should also be explored and described.

In the second part of the assignment participants are asked to provide in-depth information on one of the main topics covered in this module (for example HIV/AIDS, congenital syphilis or another STI).

The assignment should be based on literature search and, if relevant, professional experiences and should reflect the situation of his/her country. It should not exceed 10 pages.

Multiple choice questions

At the end of this module participants are required to answer multiple-choice questions. In order to provide the correct answers, participants need to study the presentations documents part of the module.

Module validation

In order to validate this module the participants are required to submit their assignments and answer to multiple choice questions.

Links

• Sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS - Course files
• Sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS - WHO documents