Full Description
Reproductive tract infections (RTis) have become a silent epidemic that is devastating women's lives. Each year, thousands of women die needlessly from the consequences of these infections, including cervical cancer, ectopic pregnancy, acute and chronic infections of the uterus and the fallopian tubes, and puerperal infections. For many women, this happens because they receive medical attention too late, if at all. The terrible irony of this tragedy is that early diagnosis of and treatment for many RTis do not require high-technology health care. For the hundreds of millions of women with chronic RTis acquired from their sexual partners, life can become a living hell. Infection is a major cause of infertility, and it leads to scorn and rejection in many countries. These women may experience constant pain, have festering lesions of the genital tract, be at enhanced risk of second ary diseases, and endure social ostracism. The problems associated with RT!s have grown even greater in the past decade with the emergence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and AIDS. Preexisting sexually transmitted disease, particularly when associated with genital tract ulcers, raises women's vulnerability to the transmission of HIV 3-5 fold.
Contents
I Overview of Reproductive Tract Infections.- Reproductive Tract Infections: Challenges for International Health Policy, Programs, and Research.- Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Current and Future Dimensions of the Problem in the Third World.- II Programmatic Issues.- Women's Health: Importance of Reproductive Tract Infections, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and Cervical Cancer.- Family Planning: The Responsibility to Prevent Both Pregnancy and Reproductive Tract Infections.- Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Prevention: The Need for Complementary Sexually Transmitted Disease Control.- Maternal Health and Child Survival: Opportunities to Protect both Women and Children from the Adverse Consequences of Reproductive Tract Infections.- III Actions for Consideration.- Sexual Behavior as a Risk Factor For Sexually Transmitted Disease.- Assessment and Prioritization of Actions To Prevent and Control Reproductive Tract Infections in the Third World.- Economic Impact of Reproductive Tract Infections and Resources for Their Control.- IV Country Cases.- Reproductive Tract Infections in Brazil: Solutions in a Difficult Economic Climate.- Reproductive Tract Infections in Kenya: Insights for Action from Research.- Reproductive Tract Infections in Nigeria: Challenges for a Fragile Health Infrastructure.- Reproductive Tract Infections in India: The Need for Comprehensive Reproductive Health Policy and Programs.- Reproductive Tract Infections in Mozambique: A Case Study of Integrated Services.- Appendix 1. Recommendations for Action.- Appendix 2. List of Authors and Participants At the Bellagio Conference.
