Clinical profile of STIs/RTIs in women in northwest Punjab

India is one of the most thickly populated countries of the world with a varied cultural background. Sexually transmitted infections/Reproductive tract infections (STIs/RTIs) still remain a taboo amongst majority of the population in India. Women's health takes a back seat in most households. The National programme against STI/RTI has led to the setting up of Suraksha clinics associated with Dermatology and Obstetrics/Gynaecology departments all over India. This study is an attempt to identify the prevalence of STIs/RTIs in the patients reporting to these clinics. A total of 638 female patients were enrolled in this study. Maximum number of female patients had bacterial vaginosis i.e. 244 patients (38.2%), followed by 205 females (32.1%) having candidial vulvovaginitis. Forty-seven females (7.4%) had cervicitis/cervical erosion, while 40 females presented with non-specific discharge per vaginum. Twenty-nine females (4.5%) had herpes genitalis, 26 (4.1%) had ano-genital warts, 21 (3.3%) had molluscum contagiosum while 12 females (1.9%) were diagnosed to have pelvic inflammatory disease. Also, 12 (1.9%) reported with non-herpetic genital ulcers while 2 (0.3%) had urethral discharge. STI/RTI clinics can contribute to check the spread of STIs through early identification, education, promotion of safe sex and counselling, thus ensuring early treatment and a better quality of life.