| dc.description.abstract | BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including quinolone resistant gonorrhoea are highly prevalent amongst Most-at-risk-Populations (MARPs) in coastal Kenya, but little is known about the standard of STD care that is available in the local health sector .. In this project, we explored what was on offer by the healthcare workers in Mtwapa - Shanzu area to gain a better understanding of the available standard of care and existing gaps in the services offered, so as to help chart the way forward. A comprehensive package of interventions would not only benefit the MARPs, but also members of the general community who access care from these facilities.
METHODS: An interviewer administered questionnaire was used for data collection from pharmacy and health facility workers in the area. In addition, pharmacy workers were studied using simulated client method to assess treatment practices for a common STD syndrome; urethral discharge. Practices by pharmacy workers were compared with those of health facility workers. What pharmacy workers said they would do during face to face interviews was compared with what they did during simulated client visits.
RESULTS: Only 30% of pharmacy workers and 25% of health facility workers recommended the correct treatment for urethral discharge during the face to face interviews. An even lower proportion of pharmacy workers (10%) recommended the correct treatment for urethral discharge during the simulated client survey. Counselling on compliance with treatment and condom use was better done although linkage of HIV counselling and testing to management of STDs was poor. Knowledge of respondents on management of STDs among MARPs was also inadequate.
CONCLUSION: There is need to improve the management of STDs among MARPs and members of the ,&enetal oomm\ln\t~ at the ~t\mary le'le\. 1'h\':) can be acb\e'led tbtowg,b training and supportive supervision of healthcare workers, establishment of effective referral mechanisms, distribution of relevant guidelines and educational materials and marketing of pre-packaged syndromic management kits. Communities should also be educated and encouraged to seek care for STDs early enough, so as to halt transmission and reduce disease burden, alongside reducing HIV infection. | en_US |
