A MAJOR new World Health Organization (WHO) handbook aims to transform prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) globally, providing countries with unified operational guidance as infections surge and health systems struggle to deliver consistent prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services.
Global Gaps Highlight Urgency for STI Prevention
STI prevention has become an increasing global priority, with sexually transmitted infections remaining among the most common infectious diseases. Despite decades of guidance, implementation has often been fragmented, limiting the reach and effectiveness of prevention and care programmes. With more than 1 million new curable sexually transmitted infections acquired every day worldwide, and syphilis cases rising to an estimated 8 million globally in 2022, including about 700,000 congenital infections, the need for coordinated STI prevention has become increasingly urgent.
The WHO has developed its first consolidated operational handbook to address these gaps. The resource brings together all normative and operational recommendations published between 2016 and 2025, creating a single framework to strengthen STI prevention and integrate services into primary health care systems.
Operational Framework Designed to Improve STI Prevention
The handbook is structured across 10 chapters following the STI prevention and care cascade, covering primary prevention, syndromic management, diagnostics, treatment, partner management, and surveillance. It provides implementation packages designed for national programme managers, clinicians, and health system planners.
Key features include integration of STI prevention into primary health care, community services, and related health platforms such as HIV and maternal care. The handbook also introduces operational guidance aligned with antimicrobial stewardship priorities, particularly addressing resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Emerging interventions are included, such as doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis and mpox vaccination for higher risk populations. Seven annexes provide practical tools including syndromic management flowcharts, diagnostic summaries, treatment recommendations, partner services guidance, and indicators for monitoring and evaluation.
Implications for Practice and Future STI Prevention Strategies
The handbook represents a shift from fragmented approaches towards coordinated, system-wide STI prevention and care. By translating technical recommendations into operational steps, it enables countries to strengthen programme delivery and improve access.
Reference
WHO. WHO launches landmark consolidated operational handbook to strengthen the global STI response amid rising infections. Available at: https://www.who.int/news/item/12-02-2026-who-launches-landmark-consolidated-operational-handbook-to-strengthen-the-global-sti-response-amid-rising-infections. Last accessed: 16 February 2026.
