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Primary prevention of sexually transmitted disease: applying the ABC strategy

¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Alberta, Canada
² Research Librarian, Alberta, Canada

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr S J Genuis
2935-66 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6K 4C1; sgenuis{at}ualberta.ca

Escalating rates of sexually transmitted disease (STD) in many areas of the world necessitate a re-evaluation of current public health STD preventive programmes. Pervasive long term sequelae for many STD afflicted people and the emerging threat, caused by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, to some national infrastructures, suggests that ongoing initiatives focusing primarily on risk reduction through barrier protection have not met their desired objective. Recent strategies to promote non-coital sexual involvement as a means of achieving STD reduction fail to address the transmission of infection that may occur through alternative non-intercourse sexual activities. The demonstrated success of the innovative, comprehensive ABC strategy shows that while risk reduction and treatment of existing infection remain important, the promotion of optimal health may be achieved more effectively through broad based comprehensive and adaptable programmes that include an emphasis on risk avoidance through delayed sexual debut and partner reduction.

Abbreviations: STD, sexually transmitted disease; CSW, commercial sex worker

Keywords: ABC strategy; condoms; HIV/AIDS; partner reduction; sexually transmitted infection

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S J Genuis and S K Genuis HIV/AIDS prevention in Uganda: why has it worked? Postgrad. Med. J., October 1, 2005; 81(960): 615 - 617. [Full Text] [PDF]

				T Stammers As easy as ABC? Primary prevention of sexually transmitted infections Postgrad. Med. J., May 1, 2005; 81(955): 273 - 275. [Full Text] [PDF]

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