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What Can Be Integrated?
 Many
different STI/HIV activities can be integrated in reproductive health
services.
Integration of STI/HIV diagnosis
and treatment services in reproductive health could involve:
- Proactively asking clients
about any STI/HIV symptoms they may have noticed
- Adding risk assessment
to the counseling session, including taking medical and sexual history
- Establishing or improving
referral systems for laboratory or other diagnosis and treatment services
- Training staff in syndromic
management
- Securing an appropriate
drug supply for STI/HIV treatment
- Screening antenatal clients
for syphilis
- Counseling clients who
have been diagnosed with or who are being treated for STI/HIV
Integration of STI/HIV-prevention
activities in a family planning service setting might include:
- Putting informational posters
on the walls
- Informing clients about
modes of transmission and methods of prevention
- Demonstrating correct condom
use
- Distributing or promoting
condoms or dual methods
- Group talks or discussions
about HIV and other STIs
- In-depth interactive counseling
in which staff assist clients to assess their own risk and make decisions
about contraceptive methods or other actions to prevent both unwanted
pregnancy and disease
Other important activities
might include:
- Establishing HIV testing
services (voluntary counseling and testing, or VCT) or referrals to
HIV testing
- Cervical cancer screening
- Testing pregnant women
and counseling them about breastfeeding options, as well as the option
of antiretroviral therapy if it is available
© 2007 EngenderHealth
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