When Does It Make Sense to Consider Integrating STI and HIV Services with Family Planning Services?

tion, improve health-seeking behavior among those who self-diagnose infection, strengthen detection and treatment of those with an asymptomatic infection and improve the effectiveness of STI case management and treatment. The integration of family planning into maternal and child health differs in several ways from the integration of STI and HIV services into family planning. First, unlike family planning services of 25 years ago, many public health systems have long-established STI services, sometimes under such unrelated departments as dermatology. Second, STI clients often self-diagnose and self-medicate, and third, private providers—especially pharmacies—rather than public facilities are often the client’s first service delivery contact point. 4 We contend that not all services should be integrated in