Sexually transmitted infections (STI) and reproductive tract infections (RTI) pose a significant challenge to sexual and reproductive health and well-being. Sexually transmitted infections can be defined as infections that spread primarily through sexual contact. Sexually transmitted infections (STI) rank among the top five conditions for which sexually active adults seek health care in the developing countries. As per the community based STI/RTI prevalence study (2003), over 6% of the adult population in India suffers from one or the other STI/RTI episode annually. There is enough evidence to suggest that early diagnosis, treatment and management of STI/RTI including inducing behaviour change through education amongst the target groups will reduce transmission of STI/RTI and HIV (Lancet 1995; 346:530-536). Failure to diagnose and treat STI/RTI at an early stage in women of reproductive age group may result in serious complications and consequences, including infertility, foetal wastage, ectopic pregnancy, ano-genital cancer and premature death, as well as neonatal and infant infections. Presence of a STI/RTI in the sexual partner increases the risk of acquisition of HIV from an infected partner by 8-10 fold. Prevention and treatment of STI/RTI is the most effective strategy for reducing/preventing transmission of HIV.

Control of STI/RTI is an important component of the NACP. The fourth goal of NACP-V lays emphasis on universal access to quality STI/RTI services to at-risk and vulnerable population. NACO is providing STI/RTI services through 1127 Designated STI/RTI clinics (DSRC/Also known as Suraksha Clinic) situated at Government District Hospitals and Medical Colleges under the supervision of trained Medical Officer. The STI/RTI services are provided to the High-risk group through TI Clinics. The various services provided at DSRC are counselling, treatment of STI/RTI through syndromic colour coded drug kits (1 TO 7), provisioning of condom, referral to ICTC for HIV and syphilis screening and to STI Labs for the complicated cases.

The Elimination of Vertical Transmission of HIV and Syphilis (EVTHS) interventions, a cornerstone initiative under the National AIDS & STD Control Program (NACP) in close collaboration with NHM. The services for the syphilis reactive mothers such as ensuring their complete treatment through administration of Injection Benzathine Penicillin G, follow-up of their exposed babies and the babies born with congenital syphilis till they are completely treated under trained Paediatrician are taken care by the DSRC Counsellor.

Laboratory support for STI/RTI has been strengthened through a network of 10 Regional Training, Research and Reference Laboratories and 45 State Reference Centre. The function of these centres are to provide validation of Syndromic case management by doing etiologic testing, antibiotic susceptibility testing for Gonococci, EQAS for syphilis and conduct operations research providing evidence to the programme.

Guidelines & Documents

S.NO.	Title	Attachment File
1.	National Technical Guidelines on STI and RTI_Final	Download
2.	Facilitators’ Guide for Training of MOs on STI services	Download
3.	STI TRG re-constitution letter-Feb 2022	Download
4.	Tech spec of STI Color Coded Drug Kits,Dual Test Kits & Condoms.2023.final	Download
5.	Technical Specification of Inj Crystalline Penicillin and Procain penicillin	Download
6.	SoP_Operationalization of HIV and Syphilis dual RDT kits	Download

STI RTI Documents (Archieve)