Integrating syndromic case management of sexually transmitted diseases into primary healthcare services in Nigeria.
BACKGROUND
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a huge public health problem; both the aetiological and clinical approaches to management have limitations. WHO has therefore developed an alternative strategy--the syndromic case management approach. This paper reports a training of healthcare providers at the Primary Health Centers aimed at integrating STD care into other services in the PHCs to improve management at the community level.


METHODS
Sixteen nurses, from eight PHCs were trained on this new strategy. The training included: identification of STDs, use of flow charts, patient education and counseling, clinic management issues and record keeping and reporting.


RESULTS
Over a period of eight weeks post training, about 731 clients were attended to, 451 (61.7%) had signs and symptoms of various STDs (genital discharge, genital ulcer, genital warts and lower abdominal pains). They were treated using the syndromic case approach. About 18.6% (84/451) were males and 81.4% (367/451) were Females. Singles (never married) constituted 32.8% (148/451) while 28.6% were married. About 26.6% and 12.0% were divorced and separated respectively. Age group 20-35 years was at highest risk of infection


CONCLUSIONS
Syndromic case management of STDs can be conveniently integrated into the primary health care delivery system in Nigeria.
Banwat
E B
EB
Department of Medical Microbiology, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria.
Egah
D Z
DZ
Peter
J
J
Barau
C
C
Majang
Y
Y
Mafuyai
S
S
Imade
G E
GE
Bukbuk
D N
DN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019090:Case Management; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult