Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) rank among the top five conditions for which sexually active adults seek health care in the developing countries. As per the STI prevalence study (2003), over 6% of the adult population in India suffer from one or the other STI/RTI. There is enough evidence to suggest that early diagnosis, treatment and management of STI's including inducing behavior change through education amongst the target groups will reduce transmission of STI's and HIV (Lancet 1995; 346:530-536).
Failure to diagnose and treat STIs at an early stage in women of reproductive age group may result in serious complications and squeals, including infertility, fetal wastage, ectopic pregnancy, ano-genital cancer and premature death, as well as neonatal and infant infections. Effective control of STI's is a strong and most cost effective strategy for reducing/preventing transmission of HIV. This is because both STI's and HIV have same routes of transmission and occur in individuals practicing similar type of high risk behavior i.e. unsafe sexual intercourse (with or without substance abuse, alcohol use). Also the presence of a STI in the sexual partner increases the risk of acquisition of HIV from an infected partner many times during unsafe sexual act. The presence of HIV affects the clinical presentation, course, diagnosis as well as management of STI's and presence of STI's increases the risk of acquiring HIV.