Document 2586
 DOCN  M94A2586
 TI    Sexually transmitted diseases in the western Pacific region.
 DT    9412
 AU    Petersen G; Sarda R; Effler P; Kerse L; WHO Regional Office for the
       Western Pacific.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):270 (abstract no. PB0511). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94369989
 AB    OBJECTIVE: To develop an overview of STD surveillance and control in the
       Western Pacific Region. METHODS: Examination of official surveillance
       reports and review of information collected at sentinel sites. RESULTS:
       The frequency of reporting for sexually transmitted diseases varies
       between countries; country reports were adequate for studying trends in
       only 11 of 35 countries. The frequency of reporting was indirectly
       correlated with population size. Overall, the countries that reported
       regularly account for just 5.7% of the total population of the Region.
       Review of the data shows that trends in reported cases of gonorrhoea
       have declined in some countries since 1987 but have remained at high
       levels in others. Reported rates (per 100,000) for cases of gonorrhoea
       in 1991 varied from less than six in Cambodia and China, to over 500 in
       Papua New Guinea. The incidence of penicillinase-producing Neisseria
       gonorrhoeae (PPNG) appears to be increasing; nearly 17% of strains are
       resistant to penicillin in some Australian cities, 43% in Singapore and
       60% in Malaysia. Overall rates of reported syphilis are lower than rates
       for gonorrhoea and appear to be stable or gradually declining; estimated
       rates of syphilis varied from about 20 per 100,000 in French Polynesia
       to over 100 in Papua New Guinea. Sexually transmitted diseases other
       than gonorrhoea and syphilis (i.e NGU, condyloma acuminata, chancroid,
       and genital herpes) are not routinely reported; available evidence
       suggests however, that these infections may be quite prevalent, perhaps
       more common than gonorrhoea or syphilis. In the Philippines, gonorrhoea
       and syphilis accounted for 24.1% of 72,550 reported sexually transmitted
       diseases in 1991, the majority of cases being due to non-gonoccocal
       urethritis (68.9%). A recent study in Fiji among pregnant women found
       22% were infected with chlamydia. CONCLUSIONS: The recognition of
       sexually transmitted diseases as a significant co-factor in the spread
       of HIV has led to their resurgence as a major public health issue. STD
       and HIV prevention activities need to be well coordinated. Regional
       activities should emphasize facilitating access to STD care and
       prevention initiatives, improving clinical management, strengthening
       detection and reporting abilities, and encourage STD care seeking
       behaviours.
 DE    Asia, Southeastern/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Australia/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Comparative
       Study  Cross-Cultural Comparison  Gonorrhea/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Human
       *Population Surveillance  Sexually Transmitted Diseases/*EPIDEMIOLOGY
       Syphilis/EPIDEMIOLOGY  MEETING ABSTRACT

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