STI indicators stay unchanged in Armenia

STI (sexually transmitted infections) indicators look much better in Armenia – in comparison with former Soviet Union republics, but are much worse than in western countries, head of scientific-medical center for dermatology and sexually transmitted infections Karen Babayan told NEWS.am Medicine. In case the dynamics of indicators describing all sexually transmitted infections are observed in unison, the overall picture will prove to have stayed unchanged for the last 5 years, at least.

According to data provided by National institute for health, 55 new cases of syphilis were reported in Armenia in 2013. By the end of the year 215 patients were registered at the dispensary. Statistics shows that the aforementioned indicator was the lowest ever for the 5-year period. Particularly, 72 news cases of syphilis were reported in 2013, and 89 ones – in 2011. 

Karen Babayan stated that 2 out of 100 000 citizens of Armenia ever suffer from an STI (intensive indicator), which, to the specialist's belief, 'is a very good sign', taking into account the fact that no immunity can be worked out and no vaccination can be practiced againts STIs. In comparison with former Soviet Union republics, the latters have much higher indicators. Some regions of Russia, for instance, suffer a hundred times more than Armenia, the Ukraine – 70 times more, and Georgia – 40 times more.

Nevertheless, when compared to western countries, the Armenian figures look much higher exceptionally thanks to lack of culture for sexual relations and abiding by elementary rules of safety during sex.

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