Potential Applications of Conditional Cash Transfers for Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract Background Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a major public health challenge worldwide. Despite the importance of sexual autonomy in the prevention and control of sexual and reproductive health disorders such as STIs, there are limited studies on the possible relationship between women’s sexual autonomy and self-reported STIs, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study, therefore, examined the association between sexual autonomy and self-reported STIs among women in sexual unions in SSA.Methods Data from the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) of 31 countries in SSA conducted between 2010 and 2019 were analysed. A total of 234,310 women in sexual unions were included in the study. Data were analysed using binary logistic regression models and the results were presented as crude odds ratios (cORs) and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) at 95% confidence interval (CI). Results The prevalence of self-reported STIs among women in sexual unions in SSA was 5.8%. Approximately 83.0% of the women surveyed had sexual autonomy. Women who had no sexual autonomy were less likely to have self-reported STIs (cOR=0.52, CI: 0.46-0.54), compared to those who had sexual autonomy. Additionally, higher odds of self-reported STIs were found among women aged 25-29, compared to those aged 15-19 (aOR= 1.21, CI: 1.09-1.35); those who reside in urban areas, compared to those who reside in rural areas (aOR= 1.51, CI: 1.37-1.66) and those who were cohabiting, compared to those who were married (aOR= 1.65, CI: 1.52-1.79). On the other hand, lower odds of self-reported STIs were found among women who were exposed to newspapers (aOR= 0.89, CI: 0.82-0.95), those whose partners had primary education (aOR= 0.84, CI: 0.78-0.91), those who were not exposed to radio (aOR= 0.84, CI: 0.79-0.89), and working women (aOR= 0.86, CI: 0.80-0.93). Conclusion Findings from this study suggest that sexual autonomy is a significant predictor of self-reported STIs among women in sexual unions in SSA. Thus, instituting policies and programs that empower women and improve their levels of sexual autonomy may result in increased self-reporting of symptoms associated with STIs which subsequently help in minimising STI-related complications. Also, policies aimed at enhancing women’s sexual autonomy may reduce the burden of STIs in SSA, especially among women in sexual unions.

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Sexually transmitted infections in an African migrant population in Portugal: a base-line study

The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries ◽

10.3855/jidc.372 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 1 (03) ◽

pp. 326-328 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Luis Távora-Tavira ◽

Rosa Teodósio ◽

Jorge Seixas ◽

Emília Prieto ◽

Rita Castro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Infection ◽

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Chlamydia Infection ◽

Base Line ◽

Transmitted Infection ◽

Prevalence Studies ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Starting Point ◽

Sub Saharan

Background: For geographical and recent historic reasons, Portugal is a gateway and home for immigration from sub-Saharan countries. Misconceptions related to these populations often lead to consider them as high-frequency clusters for dissemination of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Epidemiological evidence-based data is needed to elucidate these issues and baseline prevalence studies are the starting point for this. Methodology: A prospective study was conducted in 220 African migrants (171 men and 49 women), recently arrived in Portugal, at the time of their first consultation. The presence of STIs was evaluated using a clinical syndromic approach and biological confirmation for gonorrhoea, Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection, syphilis, Hepatitis B and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. Results: Global prevalence of the targeted infections were 1.8% for gonorrhoea, 0 % for Chlamydia infection, 4.1% for Syphilis, 5.9% for HBsAg presence and 7.3% for HIV infection. Globally, 16.4% of the studied persons had at least one sexually transmitted infection. Conclusions: We concluded that prevalence rates encountered in this population is similar to that of non-migrant Portuguese populations with a high risk for sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore migration from sub-Saharan Africa doesn’t seem to constitute a particularly critical isolated factor for public health risk of STIs in the community.

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Exploring enablers of sexually transmitted infections among illegal gold miners in the midlands region of Zimbabwe

International Journal of Reproduction Contraception Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20211106 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 1321

Author(s):

Nyanshanu Mattew ◽

Chireshe Rumbidzai ◽

Jidong Dung ◽

Nyashanu Wendy ◽

Ekpenyong Mandu Stephen

Keyword(s):

Sexual Health ◽

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

Health Knowledge ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Health Concern ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Prolonged Stay ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Gold Miners ◽

Sub Saharan

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa faces by far the highest rate of HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Illegal mineworkers are considered at risk for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Men are generally not receptive to health promotion messages.Methods: This study explored the enablers of sexually transmitted infections. The study utilized a qualitative approach. A total of 40 participants were recruited. Semi structured interviews were used to collect data. A thematic approach was used to analyze the data. Zimbabwe, like any other country in the sub-Saharan region of Africa, has been affected by the epidemic of HIV/AIDS and other STIs, because of poor sexual health education.Results: The study found that the enablers of STIs included poor sexual health knowledge, substance misuse, prolonged stay from family, stigma, lack of entertainment, cultural status, and poor sexual health services.Conclusions: STIs among illegal gold miners is a public health concern that needs urgent attention in many developing countries.

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Curable sexually transmitted infections among women with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa

AIDS ◽

10.1097/qad.0000000000003163 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol Publish Ahead of Print ◽

Author(s):

Jana Jarolimova ◽

Laura R. Platt ◽

Megan R. Curtis ◽

Lisa L. Philpotts ◽

Linda-Gail Bekker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Women With Hiv ◽

Sub Saharan

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A multi-country cross-sectional study of self-reported sexually transmitted infections among sexually active men in sub-Saharan Africa

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-020-09996-5 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Abdul-Aziz Seidu ◽

Bright Opoku Ahinkorah ◽

Louis Kobina Dadzie ◽

Justice Kanor Tetteh ◽

Ebenezer Agbaglo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

Hiv And Aids ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Outcome Variable ◽

Sexually Active ◽

First Sex ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Aids Knowledge ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Hiv Aids

Abstract Background Despite the importance of self-reporting health in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) control, studies on self-reported sexually transmitted infections (SR-STIs) are scanty, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with SR-STIs among sexually active men (SAM) in SSA. Methods Analysis was done based on the current Demographic and Health Survey of 27 countries in SSA conducted between 2010 and 2018. A total of 130,916 SAM were included in the analysis. The outcome variable was SR-STI. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed with a statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results On the average, the prevalence of STIs among SAM in SSA was 3.8%, which ranged from 13.5% in Liberia to 0.4% in Niger. Sexually-active men aged 25–34 (AOR = 1.77, CI:1.6–1.95) were more likely to report STIs, compared to those aged 45 or more years. Respondents who were working (AOR = 1.24, CI: 1.12–1.38) and those who had their first sex at ages below 20 (AOR = 1.20, CI:1.11–1.29) were more likely to report STIs, compared to those who were not working and those who had their first sex when they were 20 years and above. Also, SAM who were not using condom had higher odds of STIs (AOR = 1.35, CI: 1.25–1.46), compared to those who were using condom. Further, SAM with no comprehensive HIV and AIDS knowledge had higher odds (AOR = 1.43, CI: 1.08–1.22) of STIs, compared to those who reported to have HIV/AIDS knowledge. Conversely, the odds of reporting STIs was lower among residents of rural areas (AOR = 0.93, CI: 0.88–0.99) compared to their counterparts in urban areas, respondents who had no other sexual partner (AOR = 0.32, CI: 0.29–0.35) compared to those who had 2 or more sexual partners excluding their spouses, those who reported not paying for sex (AOR = 0.55, CI: 0.51–0.59) compared to those who paid for sex, and those who did not read newspapers (AOR = 0.93, CI: 0.86–0.99) compared to those who read. Conclusion STIs prevalence across the selected countries in SSA showed distinct cross-country variations. Current findings suggest that STIs intervention priorities must be given across countries with high prevalence. Several socio-demographic factors predicted SR-STIs. To reduce the prevalence of STIs among SAM in SSA, it is prudent to take these factors (e.g., age, condom use, employment status, HIV/AIDS knowledge) into consideration when planning health education and STIs prevention strategies among SAM.

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Acceptability and efficacy of partner notification for curable sexually transmitted infections in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review

International Journal of STD & AIDS ◽

10.1177/0956462418803983 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. 292-303 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Sophia Taleghani ◽

Dvora Joseph-Davey ◽

Scott B West ◽

Henry J Klausner ◽

Adriane Wynn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

English Language ◽

Partner Notification ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Future Research ◽

Patient Referral ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Clinical Trial Registries ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Index Cases

Comprehensive case management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) includes partner notification. We reviewed the recent literature evaluating the acceptability and efficacy of partner notification strategies (i.e. direct patient referral, provider referral, or expedited partner treatment) for curable STIs in sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted a systematic search following PRISMA guidelines: published January 2008 to June 2017 in the English language, study in sub-Saharan Africa, and discussion of any curable STI with an outcome on partner notification. We searched six electronic databases, conference abstracts, online clinical trial registries, and article bibliographies. The results showed that out of the 74 identified articles, 55 did not meet inclusion criteria. Of the 11 studies evaluating direct patient referral, the proportion of index cases ( n = 4163) who successfully notified sex partner(s) was 53% (range 23-95%). Among those who notified ( n = 1727), 25% (range 0–77%) had partner(s) that sought evaluation (95% CI 0.51–0.54; 95% CI 0.23–0.27). Both provider referral and expedited partner treatment had higher proportions of partner(s) who sought treatment ( n = 208, 69% and n = 44, 84%, respectively). Direct patient referral is the most commonly used and evaluated partner notification strategy for STIs in sub-Saharan Africa with mixed success. We recommend future research to investigate other strategies such as expedited partner treatment.

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