SAIs

Sexually Acquired Infections (SAIs) are caused by viruses, bacteria and parasites. Several infections have been identified as acquired though sexual contact i.e. vaginal, anal and oral sex. In the past couple of decades there has been changes in sexual attitudes and behaviour thus contributing in an increase in cases of both HIV and SAIs in the world. An estimate of 448 million new cases of curable SAIs (syphilis, Gonorrhoea, Chlamydia and Trichomoniasis) has been issued by the WHO in 2005 in adults aged 15-49 years. These numbers do not include HIV and other SAIs (such as anogenital warts, anogenital herpes, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and viral Hepatitis) which continue to affect negatively the lives of individuals and society at large. In developing countries, SAIs and their complications rank in the top five disease categories for which adults seek health care.

For further information you can also consult the below pages:

• http://www.bashh.org/public/disease_specific_information
• http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Sexually-transmitted-infections/Pages/Introduction.aspx?url=Pages/what-is-it.aspx
• Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) 
• AVERT: This website provides basic information designed to inform the general population on sexual health matters.

http://www.avert.org/std.htm

http://www.avert.org/std-statistics.htm

• HIV is a Sexually Acquired Infection (SAI). For more specific information on HIV, there are several websites which one can consult.
• To view HIV lifecycle replication process, one can see this
• For more explanations one can see the following clips

            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9leO28ydyfU&feature=related

            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5LGqi-8eZg&feature=related

• National AIDS Manual publications organisation website. This site provides free downloadable resource materials & leaflets.
• http://www.aidsmap.com/resources

    The link below provided information on a range of HIV issues.

    http://www.aidsmap.com/factsheets

• For HIV global epidemiology, the UNAIDS website is the most comprehensive.
• For information on global HIV targets and commitments can be found from here
• To eliminate stigma and discrimination against people affected and living by HIV through promotion of laws and policies on human rights and fundamental freedoms view here
• For the global annual HIV Report one can access it from here.

SAI role in HIV transmission

It is now well known that the presence of other SAIs facilitate the transmission of HIV.

Treatment for SAI has a role in HIV prevention as documented in a WHO/UNAIDS consultation (2006) – for more information refer to this web link.