Current trends in sexually transmitted infections — Bangladesh experience

Abstract

Background: The burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is huge and is disproportionately affecting developing nations. Epidemiologically sound data on the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections are dearth in Bangladesh.
Objectives: To study the prevalence and pattern of STIs as seen in a tertiary care hospital of Bangladesh.
Materials and methods: A descriptive retrospective cross-sectional study is carried out in Chittagong Medical College Hospital from the registered records of patients attending during the period between 2003 and 2011.
Results: A total number of 30,151 patients are analyzed. Among the patients there is 21,746 (72%) of male and 8,405 (28%) of female. The mean age is 30.94 ± 0.001 SEM. Common sexually transmitted infections are non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) (31.37%), gonorrhea (27.81%), syphilis (18.06%), genital scabies (6.56%), chancroid (5.3%), genital herpes (4.8%) and genital wart (3.62%). NGU is the most common discharging STI, while syphilis is the most common ulcerative STI. Genital herpes is the most common viral STI. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (0.10%) infections are rare. Lymphogranuloma venereum and Granuloma inguinale are not found among the attendees.
Conclusion: Although bacterial STIs are common findings in our study, viral STIs show also in increasing trend. Unlike HIV, many STIs can be treated and cured relatively easily and cheaply if diagnosed early enough. We hope that reporting this unique presentation of STIs in Bangladesh will be of educational value to increase awareness and offer possible options of planning and management for STIs.