Leading public health organizations including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) recognize the importance of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) on the global public health burden and individual sexual and reproductive health. STIs are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, with many capable of vertical transmission posing health risks to the fetus. STIs have the highest prevalence in vulnerable populations (men who have sex with men,adolescents, and pregnant women), low-resource, and low-income settings. Concerns for patient autonomy, discomfort, stigma, or loss of privacy often discourage these high-risk and marginalized populations from seeking care for STIs, often leading to a loss of follow-up when infections are identified.
