Sexually-transmitted infections in women; an opportunity for renewing policies and the research agenda regarding sexual and reproductive health in Colombia

Abstract

The current issue of the Revista Colombiana de Obstetricia y Ginecología presents the results of a study entitled, “The prevalence of and factors associated with C. trachomatis, N. gonorrheae, T. vaginalis, C. albicans infection, syphilis, HIV and bacterial vaginosis in females suffering lower genital tract infection symptoms in three healthcare attention sites in Bogotá, Colombia, 2010.” The results showed that bacterial vaginosis and Candida sp. were the main causes of such infections. Regarding STI, it was found that Chlamydia trachomatis was the germ having the greatest prevalence; it was also determined that Neisseria gonorroeae, Treponema pallidum and Trichomonas vaginalis continue appearing frequently in our population, notwithstanding their low prevalence.

This study warns about genital tract infections’ continued importance as a public health problem in Colombia, not just because of the consumption of resources related to consulting a GP or specialist, the diagnostic methods used and treatment but rather the consequences regarding patients’ quality of life, complications and aftermath. There may also be wide variability in clinical practice in our setting regarding the diagnosis and management of such infections.