English

Abstract

KEY WORDS: Pregnancy, STDs, HIV / AIDS INTRODUCTION: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) affecting mankind since antiquity are an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in women and children particularly in resource poor settings of developing world, which are store houses of most of the pathogens causing STDs 1,2,3 . Women of childbearing age are at particular risk of sequelae from STDs due to the impact of many STDs on their reproductive health. STDs also increase the risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV infection. The incidence of many STDs has increased during the last two decades, and the number of pregnancies per year is also again increasing, the super imposition of the one factor on the other can be expected to further amplify the effects of STDs on pregnancy and neonatal morbidity. Infections in pregnancy are common but few causes fetal infection and damage. Particularly urgent is the need to control fetal wastage and congenital abnormalities due to sexually transmitted infections including HIV. Pregnancy is a vulnerable time for women. Hence STDs in the pregnant women are more serious than in the non pregnant women. When all STDs are considered together, they represent one of the most common medical complications of pregnancy. As the spectrum of STDs has broadened, the medical and social consequences of STD in pregnancy have become more apparent. STDs pose a constant threat to not only the health of the mother, but also the baby's health. Presence of STDs results in physical and mental agony to the pregnant patient. The frequent occurrence of multiple STDs co-existing with STD risk factors (non-use of barrier methods, multiple sex partners) may independently adversely affect pregnancy outcome. Adolescent sexual activity is increasing globally. With the change in social norms, peer pressure and media influences, teenagers are engaging in premarital sex earlier leading to unintended pregnancy and STDs. In general, STD appears to pose a much greater problem in pregnant adolescents than in older pregnant women. Infections of young adult have their most