Integration of RTI care into existing family planning services in Bangladesh: the possible and the practical.

In Bangladesh there is no national prevalence data on RTIs/STIs. The limited number of prevalence studies point to an alarmingly high number of women with confirmed infections. Both social conditions and traditional health practices for women favor a continued high prevalence of RTIs in Bangladesh. There is also limited information on treatment seeking behavior of women with infection. Findings suggest that Infected men sought treatment outside the immediate community whereas women were limited to village-based practitioners. Service center assessments have consistently pointed to deficiencies which already effect safe infection-free family planning services. These deficiencies could also impact on the provisions of RTI services. Because of the limited laboratory facilities in Bangladesh the syndrome-based method has to be the method of choice for diagnosis and treatment - in spite of its shortcomings. As an essential element of improved reproductive health the education of the client as well as the diagnosis and treatment of RTIs must be undertaken. Assertive services are required which provide full information and treatment of all RTIs in a setting which is confidential affordable and accessible. (authors)