WINGS’ STI Testing and
Treatment Initiative
The Need
> Sexually transmitted inflections are ignored as
a health issue in Guatemala.
> Prevalence rates of STI’s in Guatemala are
not tracked, nor is there a coordinated effort to educate
the public about risks and prevention. The Ministry
of Health includes most STI’s in one category,
making its figures not only unreliable but not helpful
for targeting particular STIs.
> Rural men and women often don’t seek care
until a condition has advanced to cause significant
discomfort/pain and inability to work. If an STI is
suspected as the cause, the person usually must go to
a private laboratory for testing, which, due to financial
restraints, distance and other obstacles, often means
that the infection is not diagnosed and treated and
the condition goes unreported.
> According to UN estimates, there were between
50,000 and 75,000 people in Guatemala with HIV.
What we do
Through WINGS-sponsored Pap smear clinics, it became
clear that roughly 70% of women receiving services needed
follow-up treatment, showing how widespread pre-cervical
cancer and other STI´s are here in Guatemala.
Yet, a WINGS-commissioned survey of all sources (Ministry
of Health, university theses, interviews with other
organizations working in health, etc.) revealed that
no organization had even basic information regarding
the prevalence and spread of STI´s (including
HIV/AIDS).
WINGS’ STI Testing and Treatment Initiative tests
women attending WINGS- sponsored Pap smear clinics in
rural, largely Mayan indigenous communities. In order
to ensure a statistically significant study, 1200 women
are voluntarily being tested for six common sexually
transmitted infections (Syphilis, HIV, Gonorrhea, Garderella,
Chlamydia and Trichomonas). Every woman receives counseling
before and after her test in her native language (Mayan
Kakchiquel or Spanish), so she can make an informed
choice about participating. We also ensure that those
who are diagnosed positive for any of the infections
understand that it is important to comply with our advice
and treatment. We are compiling and analyzing the data
and the results will be presented to the Guatemalan
health care system and the development community. Our
project will benefit not only the women who take part
and their families, but indirectly also countless more
Guatemalans. Once the need for further study has been
established, a strong case can be made to develop a
countrywide effort to diagnose and treat sexually transmitted
infections.
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