Access to Sexually Transmitted Infections Services in Rural South Africa: An Evaluation of the Implementation of the National Treatment Guidelines

摘要

Treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STI) is a major public health priority for South Africa. In 1996, the Department of Health adopted the syndromic case management to improve STI treatment by establishing the National Treatment Guidelines (STG) and the provision of effective drugs. The syndromic case management strategy aims to reduce the load of STI in facilities. However in South Africa evidence still suggest that in many regions management of STI remain inadequate, more so in rural regions were accessibility of STI services is a challenge.