| Abstract: | There has been an increase in the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in India in recent years. Indian women, however, are embarassed to seek medical help for the treatment of such diseases. Because of this and the lack of an adequate number of trained and sympathetic medical professionals--especially women gynecologists--diagnoses of STDs are being missed. Women are receiving improper or inadequate treatment, especially in light of the fact that STDs spread through organisms that may be highly resistant to commonly used antibiotics. The unavailability of proper medical equipment for gynecological examinations and inadequate budget allocations for appropriate drugs compound the problem. In addition, management of traditional STDs is being overshadowed by acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, particularly following reports on Indian women being exposed to an AIDS-tainted vaccine. The increased fear of AIDS may lead to diversion of funding from traditional STD programs. Better management of STDs, however, can be accomplished through sex education and greater national awareness. |
