rss
Sex Transm Infect 2006;82:v44-v46 doi:10.1136/sti.2006.023267
  • Rapid diagnostic tests for sexually transmitted infections

Disseminating sexually transmitted infections diagnostics information: the SDI web publication review series

  1. J Kuypers1,
  2. M R Tam2,
  3. K K Holmes2,
  4. R W Peeling3
  1. 1University of Washington Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
  2. 2Center for AIDS and STD, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
  3. 3Sexually Transmitted Diseases Diagnostics Initiative, UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Program for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
  1. Correspondence to:
 Dr Jane Kuypers
 4800 Sand Point Way NE, Room W8814, Seattle, Washington 98105, USA; janekuypers{at}hotmail.com
  • Accepted 19 September 2006
  • Published Online First 20 November 2006

Abstract

Objectives: The World Health Organization Sexually Transmitted Diseases Diagnostics Initiative (SDI) website publication review seeks to provide health care providers in all geographic and economic settings with timely, critical, and concise information concerning new developments in laboratory and field diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections (STI).

Methods: Since 2003, the website (www.who.int/std_diagnostics/literature_reviews) has disseminated information in the form of annotated abstracts and commentaries on articles covering studies of STI laboratory-based and rapid assays that are commercially available or under development. Articles identified through searches of PubMed, specific journals, and by referrals from Editorial Board members are selected for inclusion if they meet pre-specified criteria. The objectives, methods, results, and conclusions for each article are summarised and board members are invited to prepare commentaries addressing study design and applicability of findings to end users.

Results: Currently, 91 STI diagnostics experts from 17 countries on six continents serve on the Editorial Board. Twelve quarterly issues have been posted that include summaries of 214 original and 17 review articles published from January 2002 through March 2005, with expert commentaries on 153 articles. Interest in the site has increased every year. In 2005, over 36 700 unique visitors from more than 100 countries viewed over 75 000 pages of information.

Conclusions: The SDI Publication Review series has the potential to contribute to SDI’s goal of improving care for patients with STI by increasing knowledge and awareness of STI diagnostics. Given the proliferation of internet-based STI testing services, this website may be broadened to meet the needs of a wider range of users.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: none declared

This Article

  1. Abstract
  2. Full text
  3. PDF
  4. All versions of this article:
    1. sti.2006.023267v1
    2. 82/suppl_5/v44 most recent

Responses

  1. Submit a response
  2. No responses published

Register for free content

The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.

Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.