STI

PREVENTION MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF REPRODUCTIVE TRACT INFECTIONS AND SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and Reproductive Tract Infections (RTI) enhance chances of acquiring and transmitting HIV infection. Hence control and prevention of STI/RTI is one of the key prevention strategies for HIV. Early diagnosis and appropriate and complete treatment of STI/RTI reduces the transmission rate of HIV infection by more than 40%. Control and prevention of STI/RTI also facilitates reduction of reproductive morbidity and improves quality of life especially among women and adolescents. Syndromic case management, with minimal laboratory tests, is the cornerstone of STI/RTI management under the National AIDS Control Organization.

PROGRESS OF STI/RTI SERVICES:

Expansion of STI/RTI Service in Government Health Facilities:

• Presently there are 10 Designated STI/RTI Clinics (DSRC) supported by the Meghalaya State AIDS Control society.
• The two arms of DSRC are Obstetrics & Gynecology OPD and STI OPD under Dermato-Venereology clinic.
• These DSRC provide services through the existing public healthcare delivery system.
• The SACS supports these clinics to provide quality STI/RTI services through audio-visual privacy, provision of furniture and instruments for conducting internal examination, provision of central supply of colour coded STI/RTI drug kits for Syndromic case management, RPR kits for Syphilis testing, consumables for conducting basic laboratory tests and computers for maintaining records and for monthly reporting through Strategic Information Management System. Each of these clinics is also provided with one trained counsellor.

Pre-packed STI/RTI colour-coded kits:

The pre-packing of STI/RTI drug kits has helped to standardise treatment. Colour-coded STI/RTI kits have been provided for free supply at all government STI/RTI clinics and TI NGOs. These colour coded drug kits are procured centrally by NACO and dispatched to all SACS and district level consignees, and are being distributed to facilities for use. Pre-packaging of the drugs is being recognised as a global innovation in STI programme management.

New Strategy on Elimination of Parent to Child Transmission of Syphilis:

Congenital Syphillis is a serious but preventable disease, which can be eliminated proactively through effective screening of all pregnant mothers for syphilis and prompt treatment of those infected, including their partner and new born.

Designated STI/RTI Services in Meghalaya: