Trends in STIs 2000-2012 at a large clinic in Georgia: Implications for policy

摘要

Sexually transmitted infections (STI) represent important medico-social problems in Georgia. One of the major contributing causes is the reduction in government financing for preventive programmes for STIs. At the Georgian National Scientific Research Centre of Dermatology and Venereology, which is the leading institution in the field, we have reviewed the medical histories of 9436 patients with syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydial infection and trichomoniasis who visited our institute between 2000 and 2012 as part of two of the broadest programmes on STI prevention: the National Programme for STI Prevention (NPSP) and the Global Foundation for the Struggle Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM). Our centre is one of two university clinics in the country which serve the whole population of Georgia (4 million). Alternative services for this population are provided by private hospitals in the region.