SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS: BULGARIAN PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Introduction: The effective management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) consists not only of antimicrobial therapy to receive treatment and reduce infectivity, but also in the overall attention and care for the patient’s reproductive and sexual health. In July 2019, the WHO called for a concerted effort to ensure access to the services needed to prevent and treat these diseases to everyone and everywhere. Objective: to study and present European policies and the Bulgarian present situation as a basis for building effective, evidence-based interventions and services for the STIs spectrum with emphasis on syphilis to support the achievement of the WHO strategic goals. Material and methods: in this study we applied the documentary method: a review of official strategies, reports, articles on the discussed topic. Results: a review of European and national policies and practices were presented and discussed with emphasis on syphilis. Social, ethical, economic dimensions of the STIs spectrum management were discussed on a national level in order to support the achievement of WHO strategic goals. Conclusions: The presented review provides a good opportunity to define the priority issues related to the management of the spectrum of sexually transmitted infections for evidence-based health policy ideas, research, will and decisions in Bulgaria.

Keywords

• syphilis
• chlamydia
• gonorrhoea
• trichomoniasis
• hiv
• epidemic
• management
• world health organization