Successful Eradication Of Sexually Transmitted Diseases In The People'S Republic Of China: Implications For The 21St Century

Abstract

The global control of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) represents a daunting task, and there have been very few examples of success. The scope of the STD problem in China before the formation of the People's Republic and the effects of a governmental STD control program were reviewed. In major cities, 10% of the population had syphilis, reaching 50% prevalence in some rural minorities. By 1964, STDs in China were virtually eliminated through a program that destigmatized STDs, provided an infrastructure for case finding and therapy, and eliminated prostitution. The People's Republic of China demonstrated the possibility of eliminating STDs, at least for some period of time. Although the Chinese approach may not be ideal for Western democracies, understanding some features of the Chinese program may help in designing a strategy for the eradication of human immunodeficiency virus when or if treatment becomes available.

Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices and Risk of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

“…Notably, most of the IUD insertions in the study took place in low STI prevalence settings; one-fifth were from China in the 1980s when gonorrhoea and chlamydia were rare. 24 In fact, no cases of PID were reported from Chinese IUD users, a finding in line with evidence that IUD-related PID risk correlates highly with STI prevalence. 3,23 Absolute risk…”

Control of sexually transmitted infections and prevention of HIV transmission: mending a fractured paradigm

“…Declines of 90% or more in incidence of one or more common curable STIs have been documented in China, Kenya (Nairobi), Sri Lanka and Thailand with rapid elimination of chancroid and congenital syphilis in most settings. 28,30,35 In comparison, intervention trials evaluating STI treatment approaches or limited STI control interventions, have reported much lower STI reductions.…”

Visiting Entertainment Venues and Sexual Health in China

“…Commercial sex was abolished in China in the 1950s through a national campaign against prostitution and STD, and sex workers and prostitution in China were declared to be eliminated at that time (Burton, 1988;Cohen, Henderson, & Aiello, 1996). In the 1980s, entertainment venues, such as karaoke bars, saunas, night clubs, discos, or massage parlors, which conceal informal and clandestine sex work have ree-merged, mainly due to increased economic freedom, rural-urban migration, increased disposable income, and liberalized attitudes (Gil, Wang, Anderson, Lin, & Wu, 1996;Huang, 2003;Liao et al, 2003;Smith, 2005).…”