Analytical study of the management of sexually transmitted infections at the Hassan Health Center Rabat

The World Health Organization (WHO) considers xexually transmissible infections (STI) to be a major public health problem threatening the health of individuals and resulting in sterility abortions and other illnesses that may affect newborns by the transmission of infection from mother to child. In Morocco the number of cases is estimated to be 600000 new cases per year. Given the size and scope of this problem this final thesis from the IFCS (Institute for Training in Healthcare Careers) identifies the causes and/or factors that influence the increased number of STI cases in the population of the Hassan Mellah Health Center in Rabat Morocco to raise professional awareness about correct management of STIs on the one hand and to raise public awareness about STIs on the other hand. This retrospective study is based on analysis and interpretation of data on cases of STI in this health center from 1997 to 2001 as well as on questionnaires given respectively to the staff of said center and to the population attending it. Utilization of these data returned the following results: the magnitude of the female population carrying STIs; young persons are most exposed to the risk of contamination by these infections; 85.6% of the staff has been trained and informed about management of STI cases; 100% of the staff emphasizes information education and communication for patients; the factors and/or causes that influence the progression of the number of STI cases include the low socioeconomic background of the population and the existence of risky behavior such as the under-utilization of condoms. In light of these results the study proposed alternatives centered on the following points: the organization of training sessions/rotation of medical and nursing staff in terms of STI case management; the reinforcement of participation by the private sector; the importance of reporting cases for epidemiological monitoring; the conduct of epidemiological studies at each health center; and finally the utilization of mass media in the context of information education and communication to the population.