Bibliographic information
GuidelineGuidelines for the management of asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections
Year of Publication2025
Issuing InstitutionWorld Health Organization
Recommendation
Maintained
WHO suggests that sex workers accessing health-care services who have no symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection be screened for N. gonorrhoeae and/or C. trachomatis. Recommendations for the management of symptomatic sexually transmitted infections should continue to be followed
Recommended in favor
Conditional
Certainty of evidence
Low
Notes and Remarks
- This recommendation applies to screening with either a qualityassured molecular assay, such as nucleic-acid amplification testing, or a rapid test with a minimum sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 90%, where treatment is available. The anatomical site depends on sexual behaviour, and pooling samples can reduce cost and increase yield, depending on the resources available.
- Screening should be voluntary with informed consent. Treat forN. gonorrhoeae and/or C. trachomatis based on the results of the quality-assured test using the national treatment guidelines. Sexual partners of people testing positive should also be tested and treated, if positive.
Also Featured In
This recommendation also appears in the following guidelines:
Originally Developed
Guideline
Prevention and treatment of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections for sex workers in low- and middle-income countries : policy brief, December 2012
Year2012
InstitutionWHO, UNFPA, UNAIDS , Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP)
Guideline
Consolidated guidelines on HIV prevention, testing, treatment, service delivery and monitoring: recommendations for a public health approach
Year2021
InstitutionWHO