title: [Sexually transmitted diseases: epidemiological and social aspects].
abstract: STDs represent a major public health problem for two reasons: their serious sequelae and the facts that they facilitate transmission of HIV. This article presents WHO estimates new cases of some of curable STDs, and italian data from national reporting system (published from ISTAT and ISS). The number of new reported cases decreases in Italy, but reported cases are not all cases. People with STDs tend not to seek treatment or to self-medicate, this behaviour is common in youths. In many cases STDs are asymptomatic in both sexes, particularly in women. Women are also much more vulnerable biologically, culturally, socioeconomically. There is also a lack of notification by physicians. Important social determinants of STDs diffusion are migration and travels. Prevention and control of STDs need collaboration between medical disciplines: gynaecology, urology, dermo-venerology, microbiology, epidemiology, public health. Contributions of nurses, laboratory technician and social workers are also required. The role of public health specialists in the prevention is strictly related to health education. Health education will promote responsible sexual behaviour and early recourse to health services by people with STDs and their sexual partners.
authors.affiliation: Dip. di Medicina Ambientale e Sanità Pubblica, Sede di Igiene, Università degli Studi di Padova.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Marin
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bertoncello
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018563:Disease Notification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D011635:Public Health Administration; D012651:Self Medication; D011477:Sex Work; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy / Q000635:transmission; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014195:Travel
vernacular_title: Malattie a trasmissione sessuale: aspetti epidemiologici e sociali.