Importance of sexually transmitted infections in funding for HIV within proposals to the Global Fund

INTRODUCTION Yearly, an estimated 448 million treatable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) occur worldwide. Over 80% of all new HIV infections are acquired through sexual transmission. The enormous burden of morbidity and mortality due to STIs impact directly on quality of life, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and child health, and indirectly as cofactors for HIV transmission. Sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, chancroid ulcers and genital herpes simplex virus ulcers greatly increase the risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV and in some cases account for 40% or more of HIV transmissions. In addition, STIs are the third most common cause of healthy life years lost by women of reproductive age, exceeded only by maternal causes and HIV. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) is one of the largest donors for HIV/AIDS programmes worldwide, and, as of March 2010, the Global Fund has committed US $10.8 billion (Approved Grant Amount) in 140 countries out of US$17.4 billion (Total Lifetime Budget). A recent analysis showed that the Global Fund supports SRH interventions through HIV proposals. The financial support provided by the Global Fund is pivotal to countries worldwide, especially those with limited resources to prevent and control the HIV epidemic. The aim of this analysis was to identify the presence of critical elements that address STI prevention and care in funded Global Fund HIV proposals. The analysis should contribute to a better understanding of how the priorities at country level have evolved since round 1.