Title: Introduction
Course: Communicable Diseases Part 3 - Ethiopia (Full)

In this study session you will be learning about prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or in other words, infectious diseases that are transmitted primarily (although in some cases not exclusively) by the sexual route. You will also be studying about the relationship between HIV and other STIs. This session also describes syndromic management of STIs, that is a diagnosis based on the identification of the symptoms the patient reports and the signs the health care provider observes. Syndromic management of STIs is the standard approach for diagnosis and management of these communicable diseases recommended by the WHO and adapted by the FMOH for use at both health centre and hospital level. After studying this study session you should be able recognise patients who have STIs in the community. This will help you to refer patients with STIs to the nearest health facility. Treatment and care for STIs includes HIV testing and counselling, prevention and treatment of other STIs, and couple counselling and treatment. Note that at the moment you are not expected to treat or manage patients with STIs at the health post or in the community. You are expected to recognise cases of STIs in your community or at the health post and refer them to the health centre for further care.