Open AccessIntegrating STI/HIV management strategies into existing MCH/FP programs: Lessons from case studies in East and Southern Africa
Author(s) -
Baker Maggwa,
Ian Askew
Publication year - 1997
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.31899/rh1997.1002
Subject(s) - tanzania , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , context (archaeology) , reproductive health , medicine , transmission (telecommunications) , incidence (geometry) , environmental health , developing country , economic growth , geography , family medicine , population , environmental planning , physics , archaeology , engineering , optics , electrical engineering , economics
Sub-Saharan Africa is confronting an HIV/AIDS epidemic and virtually all health programs in the region are seeking ways of preventing and reducing the spread of this virus. To compound the problem, the presence of certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is known to increase risk of the sexual transmission of HIV. The sub-Saharan region is believed to have some of the highest levels of STIs in the world, thus controlling STIs is not only an important reproductive health care strategy in itself but also a key strategy in reducing the spread of HIV. The strongest evidence to support this has come from the Mwanza Intervention Trial in Tanzania, which demonstrated that improved early detection and treatment of STIs can significantly reduce the incidence of HIV. Putting these principles into practice through health care programs in sub-Saharan Africa remains a challenge. This paper describes the results of a few, selected case studies of efforts that have already been made to address this challenge in east and southern Africa. The case studies document the application of these principles in the context of female clients attending MCH/FP clinics.