Awareness and knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases among population in Georgia (epidemiological survey)

2021 ◽  
pp. 56-60
Author(s):  
M. Shvelidze ◽  
N. Durglishvili ◽  
V. Kvirkvelia ◽  
G. Gagua ◽  
К. Kolyadenko
Keyword(s):  
Sexually Transmitted Diseases ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Chlamydia Infection ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Socioeconomic Condition ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
The World

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), often known as sexually transmitteddiseases, are still a major public health concern across the world. According to WHO estimates, sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) have an annual incidence of 357 million cases among which chlamydia (131 million), gonorrhoea (78 million), syphilis (5.6 million) and trichomoniasis (143 million), half of those among young people aged 15—24. Every day, almost one million people worldwide develop an STI, and the majority of them are ignorant of their infection status, making them a source of infection for others. The frequency and consequences of this on the health and socioeconomic condition of whole nations, particularly African countries, have long been regarded as a serious emergency. The epidemiology of STIs, the history and physical findings, screening standards, and the overall approach to combat STIs are all covered in this article. Infections covered in terms of causation, epidemiology, and risk factors include gonorrhea, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, syphilis and trichomoniasis. For a variety of reasons, the worldwide illness burden represented by STI remains unclear. First, many STIs are asymptomatic; second, diagnostic procedures are unavailable in some of the most affected nations; and finally, surveillance systems are non-existent or very poor in many parts of the world. According to the World Health Organization, there were 340 million new cases of syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia infection, and trichomoniasis in 1999. In the European Union, there has been an increase in the incidence of gonorrhoea and syphilis in recent years. The survey instrument was an online self-administered anonymous questionnaire conducted in Georgia using Google survey software, which automatically populates and saves digital responses to a secure database protecting participant confidentiality throughout the surveying process. The survey was conducted in 2019. The opportunity to participate in the questionnaire was one-time. The question naire for this study was developed based on a review of literature.Health education, early diagnosis and treatment, screening for asymptomatic infections, contact inquiry, and immunization for illnesses for which a vaccine is available should all be used in STI prevention and control. In general, the studies reported low levels of knowledge and awareness of sexually transmitted diseases. Although, as shown by some of the findings on condom use, knowledge does not always translate into behavior change, adolescents’ sex education is important for STD prevention, and the school setting plays an important role.

scholarly journals Individual, community and societal correlates of insecticide treated net use among pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa: a multi-level analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Kwabena Ameyaw
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Maternal And Newborn Health ◽  
African Countries ◽  
The World ◽  
Itn Use ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract Background Malaria in pregnancy is a crucial public health concern due to the enormous risk it poses to maternal and newborn health. The World Health Organisation therefore recommends insecticide-treated net (ITN) for pregnant women. The world over, sub-Saharan Africa bears the highest prevalence of malaria and its associated complications. This study investigated the individual, community and society level factors associated with ITN use among pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods The study was conducted with Demographic and Health Survey data of 21 sub-Saharan African countries. A total of 17,731 pregnant women who possessed ITN participated in the study. Descriptive computation of ITN use by survey country and socio-demographic characteristics was conducted. Further, five multi-level binary logistic regression models were fitted with MLwiN 3.05 package in STATA. The Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) estimation procedure was used in estimating the parameters whilst the Bayesian Deviance Information Criterion was used for the model fitness test. Results On average, 74.2% pregnant women in SSA used ITN. The highest prevalence of ITN use occurred in Mali (83.7%) whilst the least usage occurred in Namibia (7%). Women aged 30–34 were more likely to use ITN compared with those aged 45–49 [aOR = 1.14; Crl = 1.07–1.50]. Poorest women were less probable to use ITN relative to richest women [aOR = 0.79; Crl = 0.70–0.89]. Compared to women who did not want their pregnancies at all, women who wanted their pregnancies [aOR = 1.06; Crl = 1.04–1.19] were more probable to use ITN. Women in male-headed households had higher likelihood of ITN use compared to those from female-headed households [aOR = 1.28; Crl = 1.19–1.39]. On the whole, 38.1% variation in ITN use was attributable to societal level factors whilst 20.9% variation was attributable to community level factors. Conclusion The study has revealed that in addition to individual level factors, community and society level factors affect ITN use in SSA. In as much as the study points towards the need to incorporate community and societal variations in ITN interventions, active involvement of men can yield better outcome for ITN utilisation interventions in SSA.

scholarly journals Virginity Testing Beyond a Medical Examination

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehri Robatjazi ◽  
Masoumeh Simbar ◽  
Fatemeh Nahidi ◽  
Jaber Gharehdaghi ◽  
Mohammadali Emamhadi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexually Transmitted Diseases ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Violence Against Women ◽  
Medical Examination ◽  
World Health ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Virginity Testing

<p>Apart from religious values, virginity is important in different communities because of its prominent role in reducing sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancies. Even though virginity testing has been proclaimed an example of violence against women by the World Health Organization, it is still conducted in many countries, including Iran. 16 in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants aged 32 to 60 years to elucidate the perceptions and experiences of Iranian examiners of virginity testing.</p><p>The perception and experience of examiners were reflected in five main themes. The result of this study indicated that virginity testing is more than a medical examination, considering the cultural factors involved and its overt and covert consequences. In Iran, testing is performed for both formal and informal reasons, and examiners view such testing with ambiguity about the accuracy and certainty of the diagnosis and uncertainty about ethics and reproductive rights. Examiners are affected by the overt and covert consequences of virginity testing, beliefs and cultural values underlying virginity testing, and informal and formal reasons for virginity testing.</p>

scholarly journals The Persistence and Increase in Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) to Pandemic Levels

Venereology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-8
Author(s):  
Luigi Santacroce ◽  
Marica Colella ◽  
Ioannis Alexandros Charitos
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Diseases ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
The World ◽  
Unsafe Behavior ◽  
Ancient Times

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have been known about since ancient times. Today, however, STDs are on the rise in young people around the world. Interventions and sex education are being utilized in attempt to prevent STD spread in individuals who are the greatest risk of infection. Young people should be provided with easy and accessible health services. There should be anonymity as well as investigations into the reasoning behind unsafe behavior.

Aftermath of Covid -19 Pandemic in the community

2021 ◽  
pp. 498-500
Author(s):  
Sholly. CK
Keyword(s):  
World Health Organization ◽  
Antiviral Treatment ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Respiratory Illnesses ◽  
The World ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Respiratory Droplets

Novel corona virus (COVID-19) is an infectious condition, which can be spread directly or indirectly from one person to another and causes respiratory illnesses, range from common cold to acute respiratory syndrome. The first cases of this virus were found in Wuhan, China. According to the World Health Organization, COVID-19 is serious health concern and has higher risk for severe illness and spreading rapidly all over the world.This novel coronavirus was named Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) by WHO in February 2020. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the coronavirus disease 2019 a pandemic, in the year2020 March. A global coordinated effort is needed to stop the further spread of the virus. Among all cases about 92% of the confirmed cases were recorded from China. Initial reports suggest that death rate ranges from 1% to 2% which varies in the study and country. The most of the death have occurred in patients over 50 years of age followed by young children. For the confirmed cases which included both laboratory and clinically diagnosed till now there is no specific antiviral treatment recommended but there is vaccine currently available. Once the virus develops in people, corona viruses can be spread from person to person through respiratory droplets. The viral material hangs out in these droplets and can be breathed into the respiratory tract, where the virus can then lead to an infection. Repercussions of Covid -19 on individuals, families and on front line warriors are countless1.

scholarly journals On Commandment as Refuge: Exploring the Politics of Health and Indigenous African Religion on Covid-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sepetla Molapo
Keyword(s):  
Religious Education ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health It ◽  
African Countries ◽  
African Religion ◽  
The Family ◽  
The World ◽  
Pragmatic Turn ◽  
Inclusive Form

This paper explores the significance of the turn to the religion of the family and the clan (i.e., indigenous African religion) taking place under the contemporary conditions of Covid-19 in many African countries. It does this in order to exhibit the Africanity that is hidden by this otherwise pragmatic turn. The paper explores this Africanity by drawing from the classical African story of Seila-Tsatsi, which it argues has its roots in religious education. The key aim of its examination of this Africanity is interrogate a politics of health it claims the World Health Organisation advances. The paper does not explore this turn by accounting for the meanings individuals attribute to it but is rather abstract and conceptual in its approach. The argument it makes is that the contemporary turn to the religion of the family and the clan exhibits desire for an inclusive form of relationality that ought to inform fair, equitable and just health outcomes. It argues that the WHO’s politics of health is blind to this model because it stubbornly upholds binary thought.

scholarly journals Male Urethritis Caused by Trichomonas vaginalis

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-73
Author(s):  
Ângela Roda ◽  
João Borges-Costa
Keyword(s):  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Diseases ◽  
Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽  
Unusual Case ◽  
Parasitic Infection ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Molecular Assays ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Impact

Trichomoniasis is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide. In women, Trichomonas vaginalis infection may present with vaginitis, cervicitis, or pelvic inflammatory disease, while in men it is mainly asymptomatic or causes mild and transient symptoms of urethritis, epididymitis, or prostatitis. In the past, little importance had been given to the impact of T. vaginalis infection on men’s health, since it was believed to be a self-limited condition without sequelae. However, there is growing evidence it is associated with more serious disorders in both men and women and efforts to diagnose and treat this parasitic infection have increased. Recent advances in testing for sexually transmitted diseases using multiplex molecular assays have increased diagnostic opportunities for T. vaginalis infection, especially in men, as detection of the parasite by traditional methods is much more challenging. We describe an unusual case of male urethritis caused by T. vaginalis observed in our consultation of Sexually Transmitted Infections.

scholarly journals Pleasure and Sex Education: The Need for Broadening Both Content and Measurement

2020 ◽  
Vol 110 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie M. Kantor ◽  
Laura Lindberg
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Diseases ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sexual Pleasure ◽  
Healthy Relationships ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
And Gender

Sex education in the United States is limited in both its content and the measures used to collect data on what is taught. The risk-reduction framework that guides the teaching of sex education in the United States focuses almost exclusively on avoiding unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, overlooking other critical topics such as the information and skills needed to form healthy relationships and content related to sexual pleasure. Young people express frustration about the lack of information on sexuality and sexual behavior that is included in sex education programs; sexual and gender minority youths, in particular, feel overlooked by current approaches. International guidance provides a more robust framework for developing and measuring sex education and suggests a number of areas in which US sex education can improve to better meet the needs of youths.

scholarly journals Compliance and Treatment Outcomes of Various Regimens for Trichomoniasis in Trinidad and Tobago

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
Divakaruni ◽  
Mahabir ◽  
Orrett ◽  
Adidam ◽  
Venkata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Dose ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽  
Transmitted Disease ◽  
World Health ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Treatment Regimens ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Compliance To Treatment ◽  
Health Organization

Trichomoniasis is the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease (STD) globally and yet is not a reportable disease. Trichomonas vaginalis is an important source of reproductive morbidity and may increase risk of acquisition and transmission of human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV). The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Control Disease Center (CDC) recommend various regimens of nitroimidazole s for treatment. The common nitroimidazoles used for trichomoniasis are metronidazole and tinidazole, which vary in their cost, efficacy, and side effect profile. It is relevant to study these factors for better management of the patients. This study aimed to compare and study the efficacy, compliance of various treatment regimens, their outcomes, and side-effects for trichomoniasis, among STI clinic attendees in Trinidad. A clinical trial study was designed, and after obtaining the informed consent, a routine clinical examination was conducted and the swabs for trichomoniasis tests were collected for diagnosis from the 692 participants. Out of 692 participants, 82 patients with positive diagnosis of Trichomonas infection were treated according to the patient’s choice, using different drug regimens. Compliance to treatment, side effects, and outcome were evaluated. The prevalence of trichomoniasis in the population attending our STI clinic is 11.9% and prevalence of HIV is 9%. Of the total 82 participants for the treatment, 80% were females; nearly 90% of the patients belonged to age group 15–45 years, and over 60% were below 30 years. Among those diagnosed for Trichomonas vaginalis, 14.6% had coexistent HIV infection. The compliance with respect to single dose treatment was significantly better than the long-duration oral regimen and has a significant relation with side effects of the treatment. The outcome is generally better and comparable and shows no significant difference between different treatment regimens used in the study. Metronidazole and tinidazole are commonly used drugs in various regimens. Compliance is better with those treated with tinidazole and metronidazole single dose than with other groups. Outcome is comparable between these regimens, especially when combined with other important factors like abstinence and treatment of the partners. The treatment regimens mainly differed in the compliance side effects profile and duration of therapy, which suggests that to improve the compliance of the drugs with fewer side effects, short course regimen would be a preferred choice.

43. MEASURING TRENDS IN STI SYNDROME AETIOLOGIES AND ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE PATTERNS: THE SOUTH AFRICAN EXPERIENCE

Sexual Health ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 301
Author(s):  
D. A. Lewis
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Global Strategy ◽  
World Health ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Syndromic Management ◽  
Genital Ulceration ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
The World ◽  
Clinical Surveillance

The World Health Organization's Global strategy for the prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections (STIs): 2006-2015 highlighted the need for STI surveillance as a cornerstone for national programmes. Yet, in many countries of the world, little or no surveillance exists and, when it does, it is often clinical in nature. Much of the world's resource-poor areas use the syndromic management approach, which includes a recommendation for periodic surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is also important to perform aetiological surveillance, to assess the common causes of the main STI syndromes, such as genital ulceration (GUS), male urethritis syndrome (MUS) and the vaginal discharge syndrome (VDS). This allows observation of trends and ensures that the drugs used in the syndromic management flow chart as still valid. South Africa started to build a national microbiological and clinical surveillance programme in 2004. Prior to that, microbiological data came from surveillance among particular core groups, such as miners, that could not be extrapolated to the general population. 30 sentinel sites (primary healthcare facilities) were set up in each of the country's nine provinces for the purpose of enhanced clinical surveillance. Data were collected on all the main syndromes in terms of episodes per year. At the same time, microbiological surveillance was initiated in the following provinces: the Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, the Western Cape and Gauteng. Plans are to conduct further surveillance in the Free State and possibly the Eastern Cape later in 2007. Within each province, one primary health care facility was chosen on the criteria of a large STO caseload and proximity to the laboratory doing the initial culturing of N. gonorrhoeae. Consecutive patients were recruited using informed consent and anonymous specimens collected. Patients were treated syndromically in the normal manner according to national STI management guidelines. Gonococcal isolates, obtained from men with urethral discharge, were tested for ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone resistance using E tests. In addition, swabs were collected from MUS patients and VDS patients for multiplex polymerase chain reaction (M-PCR) based testing for the following four pathogens: N. gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis and Mycoplasma genitalium. Ulcer swabs were also tested by M-PCR for herpes simplex virus (HSV), Haemophilus ducreyi and Treponema pallidum. A separate PCR was used to test the extracted DNA for C. trachomatis L1-L3. Serum was taken from all participants and tested for syphilis (RPR plus TPPA), HSV-2 and HIV antibodies. Key findings have confirmed the decline of chancroid to below 1% of genital ulcers and the predominance of genital herpes as the major cause of genital ulceration in South Africa. Gonorrhoea continues to be the major cause of urethritis in men and prevalence far exceeds Chlamydial infection. Approximately 10% of men with MUS are also infected/colonized with T. vaginalis. Only about one third of VDS cases appear to be caused by sexually transmitted pathogens. HIV infection rates exceed those recorded in the annual antenatal surveys and are highest among genital ulcer patients (70%). RPR seropositivity in non-ulcer patients is around 5% and antibodies to HSV-2 occur in about 50!!60% of patients overall. The surveillance has also demonstrated alarming rises in the prevalence of ciprofloxacin resistant gonorrhoea since 2004.

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