| Abstract: | Historically, family planning services and sexually transmitted disease (STD) services have not been offered in any integrated fashion. STD control has been the almost exclusive responsibility of poorly funded vertical programs emphasizing prevention efforts in targeted high-risk groups and the treatment of individuals with disease symptoms and their sexual partners. Such interventions are the backbone of STD control and require further strengthening. Increased awareness of the expanding nature of the HIV/AIDS epidemic together with a better understanding of the epidemiology and involvement of STD, however, suggest the need for an expansion of the focus of family planning efforts beyond contraception to reflect a broader concern with reproductive health, including STDs and AIDS. All public health programs, including those which provide services to ostensibly low-risk individuals in the general population, must investigate and claim opportunities to further strengthen the prevention and treatment of STDs. The authors discuss similarities and differences in existing programs, sexual and reproductive health, the technologic dilemma, enhancing contraceptive choice, male involvement, dual method use, the special case of young people, and future prospects. |
