Abstract
The population of Sikkim is a unique blend of multi-tribal and metropolitan culture. However, till date, no data regarding
prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (henceforth abbreviated as STDs) among this population is available and hence
requires attention. Hence the objective is to determine the prevalence of STDs in Sikkim and to describe associated risk factors.
A cross-sectional study involving ‘Questionnaire-based anonymous feedback system’ was followed to collect data from 2,000
individuals across the society. The four most common STDs, gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia and HIV, were considered for the
study. Total 69 (3.6 %) cases of STDs were found in 1,918 individuals was affected by at least one of the STDs, out of which
43 were males and 26 were females. Cases of gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydiasis and HIV were 25, 22, 4 and 18 respectively.
Out of total 69 cases of STDs, 20 individuals were also suffering from some kind of hepatitis. Addictions like alcoholism,
smoking and drugs were also found in significant number, with 1,019 (>50 %) individuals with at least one of these addictions.
Relative risk analysis indicates that gender-wise females are more vulnerable to STDs than males. The number of partners,
addictions, especially alcohol and drug abuse, also contribute to STD cases. STDs act as a significant risk factor in transmitting
some of the types of hepatitis. In such cases, females are more vulnerable than males. The results suggest that new community
health programs are essential for both, HIV and non-HIV STDs in Sikkim.
prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (henceforth abbreviated as STDs) among this population is available and hence
requires attention. Hence the objective is to determine the prevalence of STDs in Sikkim and to describe associated risk factors.
A cross-sectional study involving ‘Questionnaire-based anonymous feedback system’ was followed to collect data from 2,000
individuals across the society. The four most common STDs, gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia and HIV, were considered for the
study. Total 69 (3.6 %) cases of STDs were found in 1,918 individuals was affected by at least one of the STDs, out of which
43 were males and 26 were females. Cases of gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydiasis and HIV were 25, 22, 4 and 18 respectively.
Out of total 69 cases of STDs, 20 individuals were also suffering from some kind of hepatitis. Addictions like alcoholism,
smoking and drugs were also found in significant number, with 1,019 (>50 %) individuals with at least one of these addictions.
Relative risk analysis indicates that gender-wise females are more vulnerable to STDs than males. The number of partners,
addictions, especially alcohol and drug abuse, also contribute to STD cases. STDs act as a significant risk factor in transmitting
some of the types of hepatitis. In such cases, females are more vulnerable than males. The results suggest that new community
health programs are essential for both, HIV and non-HIV STDs in Sikkim.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s10900-012-9596-2
- Authors
- Vikram Rajapure, Plant Molecular Biology, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India
- Ranjan Tirwa, Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Sikkim University, Gangtok, Sikkim 737102, India
- Hemant Poudyal, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Nagendra Thakur, Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Sikkim University, Gangtok, Sikkim 737102, India
- Journal Journal of Community Health
- Online ISSN 1573-3610
- Print ISSN 0094-5145