Impact of Sexually Transmitted Diseases on Public Health

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have direct impact on sexual and reproductive health through stigmatisation, infertility, cancers and pregnancy complications. A comprehensive people-centric primary-care-driven, equitable, accessible, affordable health system with intersectoral co-ordination and adequate community participation is needed to adequately address the burden of STIs. This chapter summarizes the modes of intervention at various levels of prevention strategies for control of STIs. The effective prevention and care of sexually transmitted diseases can be achieved using a combination of responses, including the ‘public health package’. The chapter discusses some of the components of the public health package in more detail. World Health Organization strongly advocates the need for the global health sector strategy towards ending STIs. The strategy outlines how to ensure equitable coverage of services and maximum impact for all people in need, which focusses on both the general population and specific population groups.