- Section 1 The development of the discipline of public health
- Section 2 Determinants of health and disease
- Section 3 Public health policies, law, and ethics
- Section 4 Information systems and sources of intelligence
- Section 5 Epidemiological and biostatistical approaches
- Section 6 Social science techniques
- Section 7 Environmental and occupational health sciences
- Section 8 Major health problems
- 8.1 Epidemiology and prevention of cardiovascular disease
- 8.2 Cancer epidemiology and public health
- 8.3 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma
- 8.4 Obesity
- 8.5 Physical activity and health
- 8.6 Diabetes mellitus
- 8.7 Public mental health and suicide
- 8.8 Dental public health
- 8.9 Musculoskeletal disorders
- 8.10 Neurological diseases, epidemiology, and public health
- 8.11 Infectious diseases and prions
- 8.12 Sexually transmitted infections
- 8.13 HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
- 8.14 Tuberculosis
- 8.15 Malaria
- 8.16 Chronic hepatitis and other liver disease
- 8.17 Emerging and re-emerging infections
- 8.18 Bioterrorism
- Section 9 Prevention and control of public health hazards
- Section 10 Public health needs of population groups
- Section 11 Public health functions
(p. 1104) Sexually transmitted infections
- Chapter:
- (p. 1104) Sexually transmitted infections
- Author(s):
Mary L. Kamb
and Patricia J. Garcia
- DOI:
- 10.1093/med/9780199661756.003.0212
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) refer to a broad array of pathogens that are transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. While STI case rates are highest in adolescents and young adults, the most serious health outcomes occur later in life and are disproportionately borne by women and infants. For these reasons, STI prevention and control is an important public health investment for every country. This chapter summarizes the global epidemiology of STIs and their associated health consequences, and reports on factors affecting STI spread in the community. It also discuss STI prevention and control as a public health intervention, relying on many interrelated interventions working together to reduce STI incidence and prevalence in the community. Finally, it considers some of the most likely challenges and opportunities in STI prevention anticipated over the next few decades.
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- Section 1 The development of the discipline of public health
- Section 2 Determinants of health and disease
- Section 3 Public health policies, law, and ethics
- Section 4 Information systems and sources of intelligence
- Section 5 Epidemiological and biostatistical approaches
- Section 6 Social science techniques
- Section 7 Environmental and occupational health sciences
- Section 8 Major health problems
- 8.1 Epidemiology and prevention of cardiovascular disease
- 8.2 Cancer epidemiology and public health
- 8.3 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma
- 8.4 Obesity
- 8.5 Physical activity and health
- 8.6 Diabetes mellitus
- 8.7 Public mental health and suicide
- 8.8 Dental public health
- 8.9 Musculoskeletal disorders
- 8.10 Neurological diseases, epidemiology, and public health
- 8.11 Infectious diseases and prions
- 8.12 Sexually transmitted infections
- 8.13 HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
- 8.14 Tuberculosis
- 8.15 Malaria
- 8.16 Chronic hepatitis and other liver disease
- 8.17 Emerging and re-emerging infections
- 8.18 Bioterrorism
- Section 9 Prevention and control of public health hazards
- Section 10 Public health needs of population groups
- Section 11 Public health functions