WHO consolidated operational handbook on sexually transmitted infections
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World Health Organization
Abstract
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vii, 77 p.
This operational handbook provides practical and adaptable guidance to support countries in strengthening the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) across health systems. It translates existing WHO recommendations into operational approaches, with a focus on integrating STI services within primary health care, advancing universal health coverage and supporting progress towards global STI control targets for 2030. The document is structured along the STI prevention and care continuum, covering primary prevention, management of symptomatic and asymptomatic infections, diagnostic strategies, treatment, partner management, monitoring and surveillance, and enabling service delivery. It addresses key challenges such as the persistent global burden of STIs, antimicrobial resistance, limited access to diagnostics and essential medicines, and barriers related to stigma, inequities and health system constraints. The handbook outlines implementation considerations and system-level enablers, emphasizing people-centred, rights-based and integrated approaches. Intended for programme managers, policy-makers, health-care providers and development partners, it supports countries in planning, implementing and monitoring national STI responses, with the aim of improving service quality, strengthening health systems and contributing to global targets for STI control and sexual health.
This operational handbook provides practical and adaptable guidance to support countries in strengthening the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) across health systems. It translates existing WHO recommendations into operational approaches, with a focus on integrating STI services within primary health care, advancing universal health coverage and supporting progress towards global STI control targets for 2030. The document is structured along the STI prevention and care continuum, covering primary prevention, management of symptomatic and asymptomatic infections, diagnostic strategies, treatment, partner management, monitoring and surveillance, and enabling service delivery. It addresses key challenges such as the persistent global burden of STIs, antimicrobial resistance, limited access to diagnostics and essential medicines, and barriers related to stigma, inequities and health system constraints. The handbook outlines implementation considerations and system-level enablers, emphasizing people-centred, rights-based and integrated approaches. Intended for programme managers, policy-makers, health-care providers and development partners, it supports countries in planning, implementing and monitoring national STI responses, with the aim of improving service quality, strengthening health systems and contributing to global targets for STI control and sexual health.
Keywords
Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Human Papillomavirus Viruses, Simplexvirus, Hepatitis, Viral, Human, HIV Infections, Delivery of Health Care, Universal Health Insurance, Primary Health Care, Public Health Surveillance, Diagnosis, Contact Tracing, Anti-Bacterial Agents, Drug Resistance, Bacterial, Drug Resistance, Microbial, International Classification of Diseases, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques, Software Design, Strategic Planning, Health Planning, Health Equity, Guideline, prevention and control, therapy, organization and administration, standards, methods