title: Surveillance systems for sexually transmitted infections: a global review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to exert a substantial public health burden globally but surveillance remains a challenge, especially in the developing world. We reviewed STI surveillance systems in various regions globally and used available data to provide an overview of recent trends in STI epidemiology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  STI surveillance systems in the developing world are often limited and restricted to ad hoc cross-sectional surveys; however, available data suggest that these areas are disproportionately affected by STIs, with a higher burden in marginalized groups such as sex workers. Developed countries typically have established surveillance systems. Recent reports suggest many of these countries are experiencing rising diagnoses of STIs in men who have sex with men (MSM) and an increasing contribution of HIV-positive MSM to STI epidemics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is considerable variability in the surveillance for STIs globally, ranging from active or passive, to sentinel, laboratory or clinic-based systems. Given different levels of resources and patterns of healthcare provision, it is difficult to compare surveillance data across regions; however, available data suggest that considerable inequality in STI burden exists. In resource-limited settings, syndromic surveillance with periodic laboratory assessments is recommended to monitor trends in STIs.
authors.affiliation: Public Health England, London, UK.
authors.forename: Hamish
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mohammed
authors.forename: Gwenda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: Kevin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Fenton
mesh_terms: D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000191:economics; D060386:Sex Workers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*