Study of Prevalence of GUDs in STD Clinic Attendees of A Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are a burden to the individual, his family and the community as the patients are mostly from the working age group. Genital Ulcer Diseases (GUDs) are a type of manifestation of STDs. GUDs are commonly caused by Syphilis, Chancroid, Donovanosis, LymphoGranulomaVenereum (LGV) and Genital Herpes. It is now clearly understood that GUDs facilitate Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) transmission and vice versa. Objectives: In this context a study was conducted by the department of DermatoVenereoLeprology (DVL) to study the prevalence of STDs in patients attending STD clinic over a period of one year. Methodology: All the patients attending the STD Clinic from 01-04-2015 to 31-03-2016 were enrolled in the study and examined for GUDs. After necessary investigations appropriate diagnosis of the GUD was made. The results were analysed. Results: The prevalence of GUDs in total STD clinic attendees is 2.57%. Among the total STD clinic male attendees , the prevalence of GUDs is 6.92% while it is only 1.12% in the total female attendees. Genital herpes was the leading cause of GUDs in both male and female patients in our study. Conclusion: The prevalence of GUDs in the STD clinic attendees is decreasing which is a welcome sign but at the same time, genital herpes is emerging as the leading cause of GUDs. This should be a matter of concern because, unlike other GUDs, genital herpes cannot be totally cured and asymptomatic shedding of herpes virus will not only increase it’s (herpes) transmission but also increases HIV transmission.