Article Text
Abstract
Background There is no clear and in-depth statistics about STI among the Macedonian population. There is no comprehensive Clinic for STI in the country. Our objectives are to identify social factors associated to lower STI screening, and to examine availability of data related to HIV and STI in Macedonia.
Methods A descriptive analysis of information and a quantitative study have been undertaken, using official reports, national researches and documents in the period 2002–2012.
Results Epidemiological reports show significant data for HIV/AIDS.
During the period of 11 years, the average HIV/AIDS morbidity have been 0.3 per 100.000, with availability to different characteristics of HIV/AIDS situation in Macedonia. These data are currently available only from two referent institutions in Macedonia (Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Institute for Public Health). On the other hand, there are numerous shallow and insufficient information on other STI. The average morbidity with other STI: Syphilis –0.1, Gonorrhea –0.2, Chlamydia –3.0, Hepatitis C –3.9, and Hepatitis C 8.7. Available data on basic STI characteristics does not exist. All the information have been received from the District Public Health Centers, by collecting data from different health providers in the country.
Patients have fear and prejudice to discuss openly their sexuality, sexual attitudes and STI, which implies that patients` refuse to go to the doctor, they take antibiotics on their own hand, or delay visiting doctors until their health situation becomes heavily deteriorated. Consequently, this leads to imprecise diagnostics and keeping them distant from the relevant institutions.
Conclusion HIV/AIDS morbidity is greater than the one with other STI diseases (like syphilis and gonorrhoea). Establishment of unique services that treat all STI would render clear and precise information on the factual epidemiological picture of all STI in Macedonia and would promote confidence depiction and stigma overcome with patients.
- determinants
- HIV/STI
- Social