Second Generation HIV/AIDS Surveillance
  • WHO Collaborating Centre for Capacity Building in HIV/AIDS Surveillance

Surveillance of Sexually Transmitted Infections

Description

The course aims to provide an understanding of the structure and functioning of surveillance of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and strategies for planning and implementing STI surveillance programmes in diverse settings. The course starts with an overview of the aims and objectives of STI surveillance and describes the structure and functioning of STI surveillance systems in use today. Other lectures will address trends and determinants of STIs and the influence of STI treatment and care structures on STI surveillance. Participants will be given an opportunity to share their own country-specific experiences by describing key characteristics and outcomes of STI surveillance activities in their countries.


Next part of the course includes lectures on components of surveillance systems (laboratory and clinic-based surveillance and STI population-based surveys) and practical considerations in their establishment. Lecturers will give examples of different surveillance programmes such as enhanced syphilis surveillance, population-based surveys in different population groups and gonococcal resistance to antimicrobials surveillance programme.

The rest of the course outlines management and analysis of surveillance data, examines key outputs of surveillance systems and ways in which data can be analysed and presented to obtain a fuller understanding of disease epidemiology and the determinants of transmission. Other lectures will outline criteria for the evaluation of the surveillance system performance (simplicity; flexibility; data quality; etc) and the role of surveillance in evaluation of STI prevention and control programmes. The course will also reflect on the new development in STI control and treatment and the importance of STI prevention and treatment in HIV control. The key part of the course is a group work which will consist of the development of a protocol for STI surveillance that participants will present at the end of the course.

Learning objectives

The aim of this course is to introduce participants to components of STI surveillance and describes strategies for implementation of STI surveillance programs, as well as to provide an overview of current health care arrangements for the diagnosis, treatment and care of STIs. Participants will also learn about the methods and considerations for identifying, collecting and managing STI surveillance data, as well as different approaches used in STI surveillance data analysis New techniques used in identifying, collecting, managing and disseminating STI surveillance dana will be illustrated.

Key topics

The course will address the following topics:

Key factors that influence the trends in STIs
Main functions and components of STI surveillance
Main advantages and disadvantages of each component of STI surveillance
Key approaches to analysis of surveillance data
Limitations in the interpretation of STI surveillance data
General framework for undertaking an evaluation of surveillance programmes
Main requirements for successful implementation of STI surveillance programmes
Development of a protocol for STI surveillance

Teaching Methods

The module consists of lectures and exercises, and utilises interactive methods of learning which aim to encourage participants to reflect upon and apply their learning to their own country settings. A small group exercise will consist of development of a protocol for one component of STI surveillance which will enable participants to acquire practical skills. In addition, key readings and all lectures are provided to participants on a CD.

Target Audience

Epidemiologists, social scientists, public health professionals.

Duration:

The course takes place in five days.

Partners:

  • Health Protection Agency, UK
  • European Surveillance of Sexually Transmitted Infections (ESSTI) network
  • University Hospital for Infectious Disease "Dr. Fran Mihaljeviĉ"

Key references:

Guidelines for Sexually Transmitted Infections Surveillance
WHO
Link
Global Strategy for the prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections: 2006-2015
WHO
Link
Guidelines for the Management of Sexually Transmitted Infections
Link
Consultation on STD Interventions for Preventing HIV: What is the Evidence?
UNAIDS Best Practice Collection
UNAIDS Best Practice Collection
Link
Global prevalence and incidence of selected curable sexually transmitted infections. Overview and estimates. WHO/HIV-AIDS/2001.02.
WHO
Link
Estimation of the Incidence and Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections.
WHO
Link
The public health approach to STD control. UNAIDS Best Practice Collection.
Link
European STD Guidelines. Approved by the European Branch of the International Union against Sexually Transmitted Infections and the European Office of the World Health Organization.
Link
Guidelines for the management of sexually transmitted infections
WHO
Link
Using data from HIV surveillance systems: Guidance on the Organisation, Presentation and Effective Use of Data from Second Generation Surveillance Systems
WHO
Link
Ethical issues to be considered in second generation surveillance
Link
Trends in sexually transmitted infections and HIV in the European Region, 1980-2005
WHO
Link
STI treatment and care: Information and resources
WHO
Link
British Association for Sexual Health and HIV: BASHH Clinical Effectiveness Guidelines
Link

Programme

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COURSE DATES

29 June - 3 July 2008, Dubrovnik, Cavtat
Training course in Surveillance and Control of Sexually Transmitted Infections
AGENDA (404 KB)
INFORMATION NOTE FOR MEETING PARTICIPANTS (357 KB)
14-17 July 2008, Zagreb, Croatia
Training course in RDS Data Analysis
AGENDA (388 KB)
INFORMATION NOTE FOR MEETING PARTICIPANTS (352 KB)
MAP OVERVIEW (493 KB)
10-14 November 2008, Zagreb, Croatia
Training course on Design and Implementation of HIV surveys using respondent-driven sampling
AGENDA (335 KB)
REGISTER