Objective to analyse the evolution of incidence of some sexually transmitted infections (STI) in Romania in the transition period.

Methods The study is based on data recorded at Dermato-venereological Center Bucharest. We had in view to evaluate the evolution of incidence of syphilis, gonorrhoea, Chl. trachomatis genitally infections and HIV infection/AIDS and to identify the main factors implicated in this evolution.

Results In 2011 were recorded 2.209 new cases of syphilis. The incidence of syphilis has risen steadily from 7.1_o/oooo in 1986 to 19.8_o/oooo in 1989 and to 58.5_o/oooo in 2002 and decreased to 10.34_o/oooo in 2011. The incidence of congenital syphilis was also increasing, from no cases in 1986 to 423 cases in 2001 and (after introduction of new criteria in 2004) decreased to 10 cases in 2011. Paradoxically, the incidence of gonorrhoea is decreasing, from 57.4_o/oooo in 1986 to 35.7_o/oooo in 1989 and to 2.46_o/oooo in 2011 (546 cases). In 2011 133 new cases of Chl. trachomatis genitally infections were reported (0.62_o/oooo). Since the outset of epidemic were registered 17.435 cases with HIV infection/AIDS; the prevalence of Hiv infection in patients with STI tested at Dermato-venereological Centre Bucharest is around 0.51% (1.59% in 2011).

Those at greatest risk for STD are the young, economically deprived, residents of the inner city. Comments: STI are a public health problem of major significance in Romania. Between mains factors that promote the increasing of STI (the incidence of gonorrhoea and Chl. trachomatis genitally infections is underestimated due the unreference of all cases) are the modification of sexual behaviour, prostitution, degradation of socioeconomic condition, and deficiencies in health behaviour.