This community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in 17 tribal villages of the Kundam block of the Jabalpur district of India. Individuals with sexually transmitted disease (STD) syndromes were enumerated and the specimens were collected for the laboratory diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Trichomoniasis, gonorrhoea, bacterial vaginosis and syphilis sero-reactivity were diagnosed by standard microbiological techniques. Chlamydia infection was detected by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A definite laboratory diagnosis of STIs could be established in 36.5% individuals. The most common STI in females was trichomoniasis, while in males, gonorrhoea was the most common. The highest proportion of individuals with STIs (39.2%) was in the age group 30-39 years. There is a need to focus on the primary prevention of STIs in the area.