WHO Collaborating Centre for Sexually Transmitted Infections
This Centre is closely aligned with LSHTM’s Sexually Transmitted Infections Research Interest Group (STIRIG), which is made up of more than 50 cross-Faculty, interdisciplinary LSHTM researchers and students conducting research on sexual health and STIs.
The LSHTM WHO Collaborating Centre on STIs aims to:
- Support the development, implementation and evaluation of STI diagnostic strategies
- Assist WHO in activities that aim to improve STI prevention and control and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in key and vulnerable populations for STIs including HIV
- Provide support to WHO in activities related to elimination of STIs and their sequelae
LSHTM is one of eight WHO Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Collaborating Centres worldwide. This Centre is closely aligned with LSHTM’s Sexually Transmitted Infections Research Interest Group (STIRIG), which is made up of more than 50 cross-Faculty, interdisciplinary LSHTM researchers and students conducting research on sexual health and STIs. The Centre works with the WHO Global HIV, Hepatitis and STIs Programme (HHS), the UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), and a network of international collaborators on activities to improve the prevention, control and management of STIs worldwide.
The key objectives of the Centre are to
- Support the development, implementation and evaluation of STI diagnostic strategies, including point-of-care tests (POCTs); training; health systems research; laboratory capacity building; and advise on research/validation, test performance, process and impact evaluations.
- Assist WHO in activities that aim to improve STI prevention and control and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in key and vulnerable populations for STIs including HIV (support normative work [e.g. guidelines]; generate evidence to inform policy and programmes including STI prevalence and surveillance, sexual behaviour, SRH service access and use; and training).
- Provide support to WHO in activities related to elimination of STIs and their sequelae, including cervical cancer, and mother-to-child-transmission of STIs including HIV, hepatitis and syphilis.
A WHO CC is an institution that forms part of an international collaborative network carrying out activities in support of the the World Health Organization (WHO)’s programme at all levels. WHO often requires expert advice and engages in scientific or technical cooperation with other institutions. WHO CCs cooperate with WHO on a diverse range of activities such as collecting data for a report, organising a meeting or developing a guideline. The collaboration brings benefits to both parties. WHO gains access to top institutions worldwide and the institutional capacity to support its work. Similarly, institutions designated as WHO CC gain increased visibility and recognition by national authorities, and greater attention from the public for the health issues on which they work. The Centres also gain opportunities to work together (e.g. sharing objectives, exchanging information, pooling resources and developing technical cooperation), particularly at the international level; and opportunities to mobilize additional and sometimes important resources from funding partners. This win–win relationship between WHO and its collaborating centres makes a difference to public health globally. WHO encourages every designated institution to benefit as much as possible from this formal relationship.
Links to information about the WHO Collaborating Centres:
The WHO Collaborating Centre for Sexually Transmitted Infections (WHOCC for STIs) is based in LSHTM’s Clinical Research Department. LSHTM was redesignated as a WHOCC for STIs in 2021 for three years. We have three agreed terms of reference (TORs) with the WHO for the 2021-2024 term:
- Support the development, implementation and evaluation of STI diagnostic strategies, including point-of-care tests (POCTs); training; health systems research; laboratory capacity building; and advise on research/validation, test performance, process and impact evaluations.
- Assist WHO in activities that aim to improve STI prevention and control and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in key and vulnerable populations for STIs including HIV (support normative work [e.g. guidelines]; generate evidence to inform policy and programmes including STI prevalence and surveillance, sexual behaviour, SRH service access and use; and training).
- Provide support to WHO in activities related to elimination of STIs and their sequelae, including cervical cancer, and mother-to-child-transmission of STIs including HIV, hepatitis and syphilis.
The workplan is the list of detailed activities that are planned for implementation.
Every 12 months, the WHO requires the Collaborating Centres to provide an annual report to describe the progress on the workplan, any outputs delivered, and results achieved, and any difficulties encountered. In addition, we must report on an evaluation of resources spent on the implementation of the activities agreed with WHO during the past 12 months. Lastly, we must provide a brief description of the interactions and collaborations with other WHO CCs, including participation in networks.
Past annual reports
If you would like to be involved with the LSHTM WHO Collaborating Centre on STIs, we encourage you to sign up to become a member of STIRIG.
Sign up to become a member of STIRIG
Find out more about the LSHTM WHO Collaborating Centres.
Links to information about the WHO Collaborating Centres: