Quality of STD care in an urban Zambian setting: the providersʹ perspective Original Research Article

The aim of this paper is to analyse obstacles to optimal STD care in an urban setting in Zambia. Eighty-two health professionals answered a questionnaire with closed and open-ended questions. More than 50% were not satisfied with their working conditions, due to heavy workload, lack of equipment/drugs, poor salary and lack of continuing education. Negative opinions about STD patients were common. Treatment and preventive activities were considered important but most respondents found patient compliance poor—especially for partner notification. To improve the quality of STD care, training in STD management should be combined with improved working conditions.