| The soaring infection rate of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) since 1980s is becoming an urgent problem for China, especially in the context of HIV epidemic. While road building facilitates economic development, it increases the vulnerability of some groups to STDs infection.This study aimed to identify the gap between the STDs related needs and services provided in the rural communities along an under-building road (Baolong Highway in Yunnan) and bring forth evidence-based suggestions for the policy-makers and other stakeholders. The STDs related needs in the communities were assessed through a population-based questionnaire survey among construction workers, drivers, sex workers and community youth, and the quality of services provided were evaluated through a health facility survey, including interviews with providers, observations and medical record review.The major findings indicate that there exist great needs for STDs prevention policies and interventions in communities along the new road in terms of: 1) unsafe sexual behavior was found in all groups surveyed; 2) in some subgroups epidemic of STDs related syndrome was reported. The health facilities, however, lack of capacity to provide quality of STDs care so that they could not play its import role in STDs prevention and control.Based on these findings, it was suggested that advocacy should be conducted to increase the awareness of policy-maker and health providers to play an import role in STDs control. Behavior change interventions were needed in some subgroups. Trainings and in-service support should be provided to health providers to strengthen their capacity so that they are able to provide good-quality STDs related services. |
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