Epidemiology of sexually transmitted diseases and infections

Sexually transmitted diseases and infections (STDIs) are known to have a major socioeconomic and biologic impact, particularly on women (e.g., sterility, ectopic pregnancies, neoplasms, etc.) and fetus (intrauterine and perinatal mortality, infection, malformations). Sex workers do not use health services appropriately and are a high-risk category. Despite this evidence, data on prostitution and STDIs in some countries are limited. Sexual health medicine is involved in the community by identifying and minimizing the STDI problems through laboratory screening, diagnostic testing, education, and research.