STI SYNDROMIC TREATMENT AMONG COMMUNITY PHARMACIES IN PORTHARCOURT: A POTENTIALLY UNDER-UTILIZED HIV PREVENTION STRATEGY

STI SYNDROMIC TREATMENT AMONG COMMUNITY PHARMACIES IN PORTHARCOURT: A POTENTIALLY UNDER-UTILIZED HIV PREVENTION STRATEGY

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Sexually transmitted infections (STDs) are of major public health importance as they predominantly affect young adults, carry stigma, facilitate transmission and acquisition of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and have complications which constitute a great socio-economic burden. Complications resulting from failure to diagnose and treat infections include pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, cervical cancer and urethral stricture. The impact on foetuses and newborns can be devastating, as manifested by miscarriages, stillbirths, neonatal deaths, mental retardation, neonatal conjunctivitis and pneumonia. The World Bank (2003) estimates that for those aged 15–44 years, STDs excluding HIV are the second most important cause of healthy life lost in women after maternal mortality and morbidity. In spite of this burden, STDs have been accorded low priority in many developing countries. Most countries lack an effective STD control programme (Adler 2006). Fortunately, interest in STDs has been boosted by evidence from recent studies confirming that control of STDs could contribute considerably to reducing the incidence of HIV (Grosskurth et al. 2005; Dallabetta & Diomi 2007). The main aims of STD control are to interrupt their transmission, development and consequences. Besides primary prevention, measures to accomplish these aims include detecting and curing disease by providing adequate diagnostic and treatment facilities as well as limiting the complications of infection by providing early and effective treatment for both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients and their contacts. Syndromic case management is one approach for the secondary prevention of STDs.

        According to the national institute of allergy and infectious diseases (NIAID) 2005 the prevalence of STDs shows 333 million cases per annum. Anti-microbial treatment of some STDs is becoming increasingly problematic some strains of gonorrhea and chancrous are now resistant to all anti-biotic generally available in poorer countries. Despite anti-viral agents (and their combination) that have been developed to treat it, the vast proportion of STDs worldwide are not treated at all. This is affected by the cost of treatment

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The prevalence of STI is one of the most discussed issues in Port Harcourt. The causes of the prevalence of STI could be as a result of increased unprotected sex; it could be from most of the medical centers like pharmacies especially when giving first aid to patients. Most of the equipment used by the pharmacy owners is not well treated. Most of them neglect the HIV prevention strategies. Secondly the study came about as a result of several studies being carried out on STI but not even a single study has been carried out on STI syndromic treatment among community pharmacies in Port Harcourt taking note on how they utilized HIV preventive strategy.

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main aim of the research work is to examine the STI treatment among community pharmacies in Port Harcourt. Other specific objectives of the study are:

1.  to examine whether HIV prevention strategies is fully utilized in community pharmacies in Port Harcourt

2.  to examine the prevalence of STI in Port Harcourt

3.  to determine the commonly used drug for STI syndromic treatment

4.  to determine the effect of under-utilized HIV prevention strategy on the well being of people in Port Harcourt

5.  to proffer solution to the above problem

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The study came up with research questions so as to ascertain the above stated objectives of the study. The research questions for the study are:

1.  Is HIV prevention strategies fully utilized in community pharmacies in Port Harcourt?

2.  What are the causes of STI outbreak in Port Harcourt?

3.  What are commonly used drug for STI syndromic treatment?

4.  What is the effect of under-utilized HIV prevention strategy on the well being of people in Port Harcourt?

5.  What is the way forward to the problem of STI in Port Harcourt?

1.5 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

Hypothesis 1

H0: HIV prevention strategies underutilized in community pharmacies in Port Harcourt

H1: HIV prevention strategies fully utilized in community pharmacies in Port Harcourt

 1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

The study is very important one in the sense that it will educate the community pharmacies in Port Harcourt on the various STI prevention strategies and how to utilize them. The will serve as a repository of information to other researchers that desire to carry out similar research on the above topic. Finally the study will contribute to the body of existing literature and knowledge in this field of study and provide a basis for further research

1.7 SCOPE OF STUDY

The study on STI treatment among community pharmacies in Port Harcourt will focus on 135 pharmacies out of 265 pharmacies in Port Harcourt; this will enable the researcher get information on time and save cost.

1.8 LIMITATION OF STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

STI: Sexually transmitted infection

STD (AKA) Venereal disease (VD) is an illness that has a significant probability of transmission between humans or animals by means of sexual contact including oral sex and anal sex.

Gonorrhea: An STD that affect the mucolls membrane particularly in the urinary tract and genital area. It can make urination painful and cause pulse like discharge through the urinary tract.

HIV: The Human Immuno Deficiency Virus. It is the virus which causes (AIDS) can replicate and the disease can be transmitted to other followed by a symptomatic period which leads rapidly to death unless treated.   

Anti-Biotic: A substance derived from bacterial and other organism that fight the growth of other bacteria or organism.

Anti-Viral Agents: These are agents or drugs that kills or inhibit viruses and are used to treat viral infections disease. Examples are acyclovir effective against herpes viruses and zidovudine (AZT), which is used to treat HIV infections.

Vaccine: A substance that causes the body immune system to build up resistance to a particular disease


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