Thermal Microactuators

Abstract

The struggle against sexually transmitted diseases (STD) constitutes a priority\ of public health in developing countries: STD cause complications, particularly\ in pregnant women, and facilitate the transmission of HIV. One of the strategies \ in the struggle against STD is the diagnosis and the early treatment of these\ infections. The STD, and in particular infections of Neisseria gonorrhea and\ Chlamydia trachomatis, are difficult to diagnose in women without complementary\ analyses, which primary health care may not be able to supply. Health care\ provided to patients could be standardized and improved by considering the signs \ and symptoms. We studied the prevalence and risk factors of STD among 192\ pregnant women consulting the health clinic in Libreville, Gabon, in September\ 1993. The prevalence of STD was high (13.5% rate of cervical infection with\ gonorrhea or Chlamydia trachomatis). We then evaluated the different diagnostic\ strategies or algorithms. Regardless of the type of examination (medical\ interview, simple clinical examination or examination with a speculum), the use\ of scores integrating risk factors, the clinical signs and symptoms outperformed \ hierarchical algorithms. This approach was more sensitive and specific and easy\ to perform. Use of this method may enable more effective screening of STD and\ also avoid most maternal and perinatal complications.\