Full Document (English) - POLICY Project

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approach the high-risk population and link them with Government-run care
programmes.
Control of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
The relationship between sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV is complex.
The predominant mode of transmission of both HIV infection and other STIs is
through sexual interactions. STIs are biological co-factors for acquisition and
transmission of HIV infection. Early diagnosis and treatment of STIs reduce the risk
of HIV transmission. Access to STI clinic services provides an opportunity to highrisk
groups for education and counselling on prevention of HIV infection. STI
clinics usually facilitate referrals and linkages with Voluntary Confidential
Counselling and Testing Centres (VCTCs) and encourage usage of other care
services.
The National Sexually Transmitted Disease Control Programme was brought under
the purview of NACO in 1992 and is an integral component of the National AIDS
Control Programme. NACO considers the control and prevention of STIs as a
priority strategy to reduce the spread of HIV infection in the community. The STI
control component of the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) has two
objectives:
To reduce the prevalence of STIs, and
To prevent morbidity and mortality due to STIs.
NACO supports setting up STI clinics at hospitals up to the district level. Each STI
clinic functions under a qualified specialist and is equipped with laboratory support
for the diagnosis and treatment of STIs. NACO also ensures a continual, adequate
supply of STI drugs. For early diagnosis and treatment of STIs among women,
support is being given to obstetrics and gynaecology clinics of district hospitals. At
present, there are 678 STI clinics functioning in the country in medical colleges,
district and some sub-district hospitals, which are being supported by NACO. The
aim of the programme is to establish at least one STI clinic in each district hospital
and make such services available in rural areas through the primary health care
system in collaboration with the Reproduction and Child Health (RCH)
Programme.
In areas where there are no laboratory facilities to help diagnose and treat STIs,
NACO promotes the World Health Organization (WHO)-approved syndromic
management of STIs as a cost-effective strategy for peripheral health institutions.
The standard guidelines and algorithms for the syndromic management of STIs have
been updated and made available to medical practitioners in the public health care
services and in private practice.
In partnership with medical colleges in most states, NACO has conducted a
community-based survey to assess the prevalence of STIs in rural and urban areas of
the country. Trends emerging from this study would help formulate local strategies
for STI prevention and control.
Prevention of
HIV/AIDS in Uttar Pradesh