**5. Prevention of the STIs in resource-limited settings**

In view of the enormous burden of STIs, especially in developing countries, and the paucity of resources for their testing and treatment, prevention is very cost-effective and more reliable in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with STIs. Firstly, knowing one's STI status will aid one protect oneself and also protect one's sexual partner from the infection and its sequelae. Many STIs can be easily diagnosed and treated; hence, concurrent treatment of sexual partners who have STIs has been found pivotal in the reduction of new cases and recurrence of the disease. Avoidance of multiple sexual partners is also key to the prevention of STIs in the resourcelimited settings. Empowerment of the girl child through skills acquisition or formal education is another very important strategy. Use of barrier methods during sex, for example, condoms have been found to not only protect against STIs but also prevent unwanted pregnancies and their sequelae. Individuals who have allergies to latex condoms can resort to the use of synthetic non-latex condoms. Other multipurpose

*Treatment of Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections in Resource-Limited Settings DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.109930*

prevention technologies (for the prevention of STIs and pregnancy) are still at the level of research [1].

Pre-exposure prophylaxis and postexposure prophylaxis for STIs have been shown to aid its prevention. Oral Azithromycin 1 g every month has been found to bring down the number of new cases of both NG and CT but did not reduce the number of new cases of HIV [40]. Due to poverty and ignorance, prophylaxis is difficult in resource-limited settings. Most developing societies are male-dominated and women are unable to negotiate sex due to poverty, ignorance, and hunger and so, the use of barrier methods or even keeping one sex partner is difficult. Furthermore, implementation of some of these primary preventive measures in developing countries are difficult due to communal crisis/wars/terrorism (with citizens living in inhumane conditions in internally displaced person camps), poor leadership and lack of facilities to aid individuals adopt these measures. The females in these communities are not only unable to negotiate sex but are forced into sexual activities and have no authority/agency of government to report or run to for protection. And so, to effectively prevent STIs in resource-limited countries, these issues must be addressed, especially with the aid of technologically advanced/developed countries. Unless we all are protected, none of us is protected.
