Prevalence and Pattern of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) majorly affect the reproductive age group and results into dire consequences like ano-genital cancer, ectopic pregnancy, foetal wastage, infertility and premature death. Additionally, STIs are associated with increased risk of transmission of Human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Epidemiological study is the key to understand the prevailing disease pattern, required for better implementation of policy, and targeted intervention needed to control the progression of STIs. Present retrospective and cross-sectional study was carried out to understand the prevalence and epidemiological pattern in the region.Material and methods: Data was procured from the case records maintained in the ICTC and STI clinic attached to the Gynaecology outpatient department (OPD) of our tertiary care centre, from January, 2013 to December, 2017. Subjects were clinically evaluated by the trained physician. All the test and treatment was done according to the WHO guidelines. Results:The total attendance at Integrated counselling and testing centre (ICTC) and STI clinic was 31,028 and 24,657 respectively. Female ratio was in order of 1: 1.25 and 1: 1.24 in ICTC and STI clinic. Age group 22-44 year was found to have more STIs. 95.47% patients who attended STI clinic were syndromic and 4.52% were asymptomatic. Attendance at STI clinic (r 2 =0.97) and ICTC (r 2 =0.86%) increased gradually by annually. Month of June to September was the months of high attendance and high disease prevalence. Conclusion:Increased attendance at ICTC and STI clinic depicts the STI awareness and better implementation of the WHO policies in the region. However, syndromic management and asymptomatic case detection at point of care are the keys to control the STIs.

Sexually Transmitted Infections in A Tertiary Hospital of Kathmandu: A Retrospective Study

“…The most common age group with STI in this study was between 21 and 30 years (mean 27.8±8.8 years) similar to the other studies done in Nepal [5][6][7][8] and India. [9][10][11] The age of sexual exposure and sexual behavior in Nepal has not probably changed in the last two decades, despite there being a sea of changes in urbanization.…”

“…6,8,9 A study in India has shown a minor female predominance. 10 Fewer female cases could be due to fewer symptoms and asymptomatic infections of non-visible parts of the urogenital tract like the cervix.…”