Study of syndromic management of sexually transmitted infections in women of reproductive age at a tertiary care hospital in Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STI) rank among the top five conditions for which sexually active adults seek health care in the developing countries. The disease prevalence is about 6% in India. Syndromic management remains the core intervention in the WHO strategy in resource poor setting were laboratory services are not available. This study was done to determine the effectiveness of syndromic management of STIs in women of reproductive age [15-49 years] attending gynaec outpatient block at Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (IOG), Chennai.

Methods: It is a prospective analytical study where 500 women of reproductive age symptomatic for STI were studied. A well-structured proforma was prepared for selection of women, history and examination. Based on the findings they were classified into STI syndromes and color-coded kits were given accordingly. Follow-up of patients was done to assess the effectiveness of treatment.

Results: Overall there was 84.8% good response to Syndromic management. The follow up rate was 85.6%. Vaginal discharge syndrome was the commonest syndrome followed by lower abdomen pain syndrome.

Conclusion: STIs cause major health problem and it is important to diagnose and treat them at the earliest. Syndromic management is definitely an effective tool to manage STIs particularly in low resource settings.