{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.025094102885821833, 'fraction_numerical': 0.031994981179422836, 'mean_word_length': 4.996240601503759, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) epidemic in eastern Europe: a call for help.


 During 1980-91 the incidences of syphilis and gonorrhea in western European countries fell to less than 2 and 20 per 100,000 persons, respectively. Since 1991, however, there has been a dramatic increase in the notification rate of syphilis. This increase is particularly marked in the countries of the former Soviet Union. In the Russian Federation, the incidence was 86 per 100,000 in 1994 and 172.1 in 1995, a 40-fold increase from 1989. In many countries of the former USSR, the incidence of syphilis has increased 15-30 times. The major social and economic changes experienced throughout eastern Europe during the past 10 years following the break-up of the Soviet Union are at the root of the increased prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the region. There has been a marked and prolonged decrease in national and per capita incomes reflected in growing unemployment, prostitution, and drug abuse. Such social conditions support the development and perpetuation of social disease epidemics. Prevention and control measures are urgently needed to check the spread of STDs in eastern Europe. Young people and adolescents are experiencing the epidemic to a greater extent than older age groups. Recommendations are made with regard to the prevention of STDs, sexual health promotion, clinical services, the management of STDs by non-dermatovenereologists, training, active case finding and screening, and surveillance. Information and the coordination of efforts are the keys to success.
