Epidemiology of STIs: worldwide

STIs, including easily treatable bacterial infections such as syphilis and gonorrhoea, continue to cause a huge burden of ill health, particularly in developing countries and in poor populations in developed countries. Syphilis results in more than 500,000 perinatal deaths annually. Other STIs, particularly those causing genital ulceration such as herpes simplex, syphilis and chancroid, facilitate sexual transmission of HIV. STIs can be controlled through health education and condom promotion, improved case management, and screening for asymptomatic infections. In the long term, their control will depend on improved living standards and better education for the poor, and on improving the status of women.