Section 3 - Barrier Methods and Reproductive Health:
Programmatic Concerns

Beyond STD Prevention: STD Management Services

STD management is an important part of maintaining good reproductive health. STD management involves diagnosis of STDs, treatment, and partner notification and treatment. If a program cannot offer STD management services, it should consider adding a formal referral program when screening and counseling indicate that a client may be infected. When possible, such programs should follow up with a client who has been referred to another clinic for STD diagnosis and treatment.

Compared to counseling services alone, more extensive staff training and additional staff time are required for diagnosis and treatment of STDs. Diagnosis of symptomatic persons can be done in many cases without laboratory facilities. Because infected women are often asymptomatic, detecting infected persons may require laboratory referrals. Detecting STDs in asymptomatic persons, while difficult, can help prevent infections from getting worse in individuals and also help prevent transmission in the community.

Treating STDs requires knowledge of the prevalence of STDs in an area, including the types of microorganisms and their potential resistance to certain antibiotics. Maintaining an adequate supply of appropriate antibiotics is essential for STD management and may require budgeting for additional resources.

STD management services also benefit from counseling and treating partners. This is an essential step in breaking the infection chain. Even if a client is treated for an STD, it may be a wasted effort unless the partner or partners are also treated, because the client is likely to be re-infected. Hence, programs should encourage clients to bring in their partners for treatment.

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