Education, early screening and treatment of STIs could reduce infertility among women in Kenya

In Kenya, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoea, HIV, herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), syphilis and trichomoniasis tend to be prevalent, especially in women. Further, the research shows that women who test positive for STIs (other than HIV), have little knowledge of these infections. Of particular concern, is that there has been little attention on the part of government to educate the general public about STIs, yet these diseases can have devastating consequences on women’s and men’s health. In women, STIs can produce sequelae such as tubal infertility. To help reduce female factor infertility, the Kenya government should conduct a nationwide campaign to educate the public about the importance of screening and treatment of STIs.