Abstract

PIP: The real prevalence of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is unknown since many women are either asymptomatic or have atypical symptoms. It is often difficult to detect, manage, and prevent PID. Since PID has obstetric, gynecologic, and contraceptive-related causes, its prevalence is quite high. About 70% of PID hospital admissions in sub-Saharan Africa are a result of reproductive tract infections (RTIs) while this figure is 34% in Asia and 31% in developed countries. Only 10-20% of lower RTIs ascend into the upper genital tract and an even smaller percentage of women with PID develop chronic sequelae. Still, just 1 episode carries an increased risk of a tubal infertility, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, considerable pain during coitus, a new episode, and menstrual irregularities. Neisseria gonorrhoea and Chlamydia trachomatis are the most common causative organisms of PID. In Africa, the risk factors for PID are the same as they are for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs): multiple sex partners, young age at first intercourse, high frequency of coitus, and a high rate of acquiring new partners. The largest percentage of women with RTIs are monogamous women who are infected and constantly reinfected by their promiscuous husbands. The primary means to prevent PID are promotion of safer sexual behavior and condom usage. Secondary measures include accessible, acceptable, and effective STD services and education and counseling during case management. WHO suggests that STD treatment become part of the primary health care system. It has developed flow charts on syndromic diagnosis for urethral discharge in men and genital ulcer disease in women. Health workers should assume increased PID risk if the partner has had a history of urethral discharge and/or treatment for gonorrhea or nongonococcal urethritis. Partner notification is also needed for case management, but stigmatization in some countries poses a problem. WHO also recommends use of drugs which have a 95% STD cure rate.