title: The sources of treatment of sexually transmissible infections in a rural community in central Thailand.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sexually transmissible infection (STI) rates in Thailand declined from 1986 to 1994, but levelled off until 2002. This study documents the distribution of STI cases attending major treatment venues and the quality of treatment in a rural area.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross sectional study was conducted in January and June 2001 in all 42 health-care facilities in the study district, including the hospital STI and outpatient clinics, private clinics, local health centres and pharmacies. Quality of care was assessed by documenting appropriate syndromic treatment according to the World Health Organization Syndromic Case Management Guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over half of STI patients (60%) sought treatment from pharmacies (35%) and health centres (25%), the facilities least capable of accurately diagnosing and treating STI. Only 0-59% were adequately treated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The quality of services needs to be improved and innovative strategies developed and implemented to address the problems of acceptability, stigmatisation, access and quality of STI services in Thailand.
authors: Office of Disease Prevention & Control, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand.
authors: Preecha
authors: P
authors: Prempree
authors: Roger
authors: R
authors: Detels
authors: Mongkol
authors: M
authors: Ungkasrithongkul
authors: Sittichai
authors: S
authors: Meksawasdichai
authors: Samreng
authors: S
authors: Panthong
authors: Varaporn
authors: V
authors: Ungpanich
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013240:Stereotyping; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology