SYNDROMIC SURVEILLANCE OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS IN ALBANIA

The availability of baseline information on the epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and other associated risk behaviors is essential for designing, implementing, and monitoring successful targeted interventions. The aim of the present study was to document the pattern of common STIs and to evaluate the performance of syndromic case management against their laboratory diagnoses. The study included all cases of sexually transmitted infections reported to the Public Health Institute during the period September 2007 - December 2012 with one or more of the complaints as enunciated by WHO in its syndromic approach for the diagnosis of STIs. Detailed history, demographic data, and clinical features were recorded and screened for STIs. A total of 5344 cases were notified in the public health sector. The mean age of patients was 30 (+/-8.4) years with a range 14 to 84 years. 2.2% were men and 97.8% were women. 43.5% belonged to age group 20-30 years old. The syndrome most frequent syndrome were vaginal discharge in 91.6% of cases, while 36.0% of cases reported for lower abdominal pain. A routine surveillance system gives an incomplete picture of the epidemiological situation. Furthermore, there is general evidence that many cases of STI are not accounted for because of the high frequency of asymptomatic infections, and the frequent tendency for STI patients to seek care outside the public health services.