Pattern of sexually transmitted infections: A profile from a rural- and tribal-based sexually transmitted infections clinic of a tertiary care hospital of Eastern India

INTRODUCTION: Prevalence of Sexually transmitted infections (STI's) in developing nations is very high where the measures for STI treatment and prevention are limited. Enormous variation in clinical presentation make STI's very difficult to be studied epidemiologically. To know the exact prevalence of STI's is very important for a region or community for planning preventive strategies. The aim of the present study is to observe the pattern of sexually transmitted infections among the tribal and non-tribal population attending a rural and tribal base tertiary care Centre. METHOD: All the consecutive STI patients irrespective of age and sex attending the STI clinic were included. Thorough clinical examination and relevant investigations were done to know the different STI's present in them. They were divided into tribal and non-tribal group as per history and comparison of patterns of STI's done among the two groups. RESULT: Around 34% of STI patients were tribal. Majority of patients belong to 20-40 years of age. Sex ratio of tribal group was 1:0.86 and non-tribal group was 1:2.64. The difference is statistically significant. Commonest STI in both the group was Genital ulcer disease Herpetic but the occurrence of urethral discharge, genital scabies, and inguinal bubo were among the tribal group. Per vaginal discharge was the commonest STI among the female in both the groups. VDRL positivity was 1.16% and HIV positivity was 0.36% among STI clinic attendees. CONCLUSION: Tribal females need special attention for prevention of STI in tribal community.