Current overview of sexually transmitted infections: a global, national, and local perspective

Abstract

Introduction: The right to health, recognized by the Mexican Constitution and various international treaties, faces significant challenges in Mexico due to structural inequalities that hinder equitable access to medical services. This situation directly contributes to the increase in preventable diseases such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), whose rates continue to rise globally, nationally, and locally. Objective: Promote critical reflection on the need for comprehensive policies that prioritize sexual education, universal access to health and human dignity. Development: STIs, including HIV, affect more than 376 million people annually. Their impact is intensified in contexts of poverty, lack of sexual education, and institutional discrimination. In Mexico, these infections are the fourth leading cause of morbidity among young people aged 15 to 24. Locally, Sinaloa and particularly Culiacán shows a growing trend in new diagnoses, with a high rate of treatment abandonment and limited access to prevention programs. Factors such as labor migration, inconsistent condom use, and the marginalization of vulnerable populations such as women, adolescents, transgender people, and MSM (men who have sex with men) perpetuate transmission. Despite institutional efforts, only 30% of schools in Sinaloa include comprehensive sexual education, limiting effective prevention. Conclusion: STIs reflect deep social inequalities. There is an urgent need to decentralize health services, strengthen cultural and educational campaigns, and ensure dignified, stigma-free care. As nursing educators, we must promote a critical, sensitive, and human rights-oriented professional education to break the cycle of transmission and morbidity.