Prevalence of syphilis infection and associated sociodemographic factors among antenatal-care attendees in Meghalaya, India: Revisiting HIV Sentinel Surveillance data

2021 ◽  
pp. 095646242110549
Author(s):  
Subrata Biswas ◽  
Piyali Ghosh ◽  
Falguni Debnath ◽  
Debjit Chakraborty ◽  
Malay Kumar Saha ◽  
...  

Background Despite relatively simple prevention and treatment, syphilis remains a major social and public health concern worldwide, particularly in developing nations. Objective To estimate the prevalence and to determine the sociodemographic factors associated with syphilis infection among antenatal-care (ANC) attendees in Meghalaya, India. Materials and Method A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted utilizing National HIV Sentinel Surveillance of Meghalaya, January–March 2017. Pregnant women aged 15–49 years ( n = 3015) were recruited consecutively, interviewed, and tested for syphilis by Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test in eight selected ANC sites representing all districts of Meghalaya. Results Prevalence of syphilis was found to be 1.03 % (95% CI = 0.67–1.39) (31/3015). Prevalence was maximum among illiterates with gradual lowering of adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with improvement of education. Women whose husbands had no income were associated with higher risk (AOR = 4.97, 95% CI = 1.11–22.20) of syphilis. Significant risk (OR = 2.42, 95% CI = 1.02–5.74) was also observed with Jaintia Hills residents as compared to Garo Hills. Conclusions As high prevalence of gestational syphilis was identified in Meghalaya along with important sociodemographic predictors, evidence to policy translation is required at state and national level to scale up prevention, screening, and management of syphilis

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Raheli Misiko Mukhwana ◽  
Margaret N Keraka ◽  
Meshack Onyambu

Introduction/Aims Focused antenatal care provides individualised counselling, targeted assessment and safe, cost effective, evidence-based intervention. It has been implemented in developing countries as a strategy to improve maternal health. This study aimed to investigate sociodemographic factors associated with maternal complications in selected public county hospitals in Nairobi City County, Kenya. Methods This was a cross-sectional study using a sample of 397 postnatal women who were given a questionnaire, with sections on their sociodemographic and health characteristics. Data analysis was done using the Chi Square test to determine the association between study variables, with P<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results The study found that 30% of respondents reported a maternal complication during their current delivery outcome. Sociodemographic factors significantly associated with maternal complications were age (P=0.002), occupation (P=0.001) and income (P=0.011). The health factors associated with occurrence of maternal complications were number of deliveries (P=0.001) and mode of delivery (P=0.001). Conclusions A number of factors were found to be significantly associated with maternal outcomes, including age and occupation. Further studies to determine why young women do not use focused antenatal care are necessary, as this would help reduce the incidence of birth-associated complications.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheryl Case Johnson ◽  
Melissa Neuman ◽  
Peter MacPherson ◽  
Augustine Choko ◽  
Caitlin Quinn ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Many southern African countries are nearing the global goal to diagnose 90% of people with HIV by 2020. In 2016, 84% and 86% of people with HIV knew their status in Malawi and Zimbabwe respectively. Despite this progress, gaps remain, particularly among men (≥25 years). We investigated awareness, use and willingness to HIV self-test (HIVST) prior to large scale implementation and explored sociodemographic associations. Methods We pooled responses from two of the first cross-sectional Demographic Health Surveys to include HIVST questions: Malawi and Zimbabwe in 2015-16. Sociodemographic factors and sexual risk behaviours associated with previously testing for HIV, and awareness, past use and future willingness to self-test were investigated using univariable and multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for the sample design and limiting analysis to participants with completed questionnaire and a valid HIV result. Analysis of willingness to self-test was restricted to Zimbabwean men, as Malawians and women were not asked this question. Results Of 31 385 individuals, the proportion never-tested was higher for men (31.2%) than women (16.5%), p<0.001. For men, having ever tested increased with age. Past use and awareness of HIVST was very low, 1.2% and 12.6% respectively. Awareness was lower among women than men (9.1% vs 15.3%, adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=1.55; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.37-1.75), and at younger ages, and lower education and literacy levels. Willingness to self-test among Zimbabwean men was high (84.5%), with having previously tested for HIV, high sexual risk, and being ≥25 years associated with greater willingness. Wealthier men had greater awareness of HIVST than poorer men (p<0.001). Men at higher HIV-related sexual risk, compared to men at lower HIV-related sexual risk, had the greatest willingness to self-test (aOR=3.74; 95%CI: 1.39-10.03, p<0.009).Conclusions In 2015-16 many Malawian and Zimbabwean men had never tested for HIV. Despite low awareness and minimal HIVST experience at that time, willingness to self-test was high among Zimbabwean men, especially in older men with moderate to high HIV-related sexual risk. These data provide a valuable baseline against which to investigate population-level uptake of HIVST as programmes scale-up. Programmes introducing, or planning to introduce HIVST, should consider including questions in population-based surveys.


Author(s):  
Cesar Tello-Torres ◽  
Akram Hernández-Vásquez ◽  
Karla F. Dongo ◽  
Rodrigo Vargas-Fernández ◽  
Guido Bendezu-Quispe

Abstract Objective To determine the adequacy of compliance with antenatal care (ANC) by pregnant women in Peru and to identify the associated factors. Methods An analytical cross-sectional study of data from the 2019 Peruvian Demographic and Family Health Survey (Encuesta Demográfica y de Salud Familiar, ENDES, in Spanish) was conducted. The dependent variable was adequate compliance with ANC (provided by skilled health care professionals; first ANC visit during the first trimester of pregnancy; six or more ANC visits during pregnancy; ANC visits with appropriate content) by women aged 15 to 49 years in their last delivery within the five years prior to the survey. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated using a log-binomial regression model. Results A total of 18,386 women were analyzed, 35.0% of whom adequately complied with ANC. The lowest proportion of compliance was found with the content of ANC (42.6%). Sociodemographic factors and those related to pregnancy, such as being in the age groups of 20 to 34 years and 35 to 49 years, having secondary or higher education, belonging to a wealth quintile of the population other than the poorest, being from the Amazon region, not being of native ethnicity, having a second or third pregnancy, and having a desired pregnancy, increased the probability of presenting adequate compliance with ANC. Conclusion Only 3 out of 10 women in Peru showed adequate compliance with ANC. Compliance with the content of ANC must be improved, and strategies must be developed to increase the proportion of adequate compliance with ANC.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mwumvaneza Mutagoma ◽  
Eric Remera ◽  
Dieudonné Sebuhoro ◽  
Steve Kanters ◽  
David J. Riedel ◽  
...  

Background. The prevalence of syphilis among HIV-infected people is a public health concern, but there is limited literature to describe the true burden of syphilis in resource-limited settings. We conducted this survey in 2013 to estimate the prevalence of syphilis. Methods. A cross-sectional survey. Participants were tested for syphilis and HIV. Factors associated with syphilis infection were identified. Results. The prevalence of syphilis was 0.9% (95% CI: 0.7–1.1). This prevalence was higher in the 25–49-year-old age (1.1% [95% CI: 0.8–1.3]) than in the 15–24-year-old age (0.6% (95% CI: 0.4–0.9)). Women with lower education had a higher prevalence of syphilis (1.2% (95% CI: 0.9–1.5)) compared to others (0.4% (95% CI: 0.2–0.8)). This prevalence among HIV-infected people was six times higher: 4.8% (95% CI: 2.9–7.9) compared to HIV-negative people (0.8% (95% CI: 0.6–1.0)). The prevalence of syphilis among HIV-infected females was 5.9% (95% CI: 3.4–10.0). HIV-infected or concurrent sexual partners was associated with increased syphilis prevalence with aOR = 4.2 (95% CI: 2.5–7.2) and aOR = 4.2 (95% CI: 2.8–6.5), respectively. Conclusions. The prevalence of syphilis was significantly higher among HIV-infected patients. HIV infection and concurrent sexual partners are associated with an increased prevalence of syphilis. Preventing HIV might help in preventing syphilis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 261-266
Author(s):  
O Ochima ◽  
AJ Randawa ◽  
SE Adaji ◽  
GI Ogbu

Hepatitis and TB co-infection in PLWHA is now a major source of co-morbidity and of public health concern. HIV and Hepatitis are two viruses with overlapping epidemics and shared routes of transmission. The clinical course of HCV is accelerated in patients with HIV with resultant end-stage Liver disease as a major cause of death. Most studies in my environment failed to identify significant risk factors for HCV infection thus making intervention difficult. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out among consecutive consenting HIV positive pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of ABUTH-Zaria Nigeria. Relevant information was obtained using a structurally administered questionnaire while Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent assay Biotech Laboratories UK was used for anti Hepatitis C antibodies assay. Twenty four of the 285 samples tested positive for anti HCV antibodies giving a co-infection rate of 8.4%. Lack of formal education was associated with HCV-HIV co-infection (p <0.05), odds ratio (OR) 2.5; 95%CI 0.97-6.97. The possible risk factors analyzed including previous blood transfusion and injecting drug use were not associated with HIV- HCV co-infection (p>0.05). This study revealed a high HCV co-infection with significant association with non-formal educational status. Improving female education may be one important strategy for its prevention.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Narh Doku

Abstract Background: Child maltreatment and its consequences are considered a major public health concern among children because they can cause significant physical and psychological problems. Child maltreatment is widespread but often underestimated. Surprisingly, there is hardly any data on the frequency of child maltreatment in general and particularly on orphans and vulnerable children in low-income countries. Method: This study employed cross-sectional, quantitative survey that involved 291 children aged 10–17 years in Lower Manya Krobo District, Ghana and examined their exposure to and experience of child maltreatment. The survey also examined parents/caregivers’ exposure and perpetuation of child maltreatment. Results: Some form of maltreatment within the household was reported by approximately 90% of children, and it was significantly higher among orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) as compared with comparison children. Children living with HIV/AIDS-infected parents and orphans of any type reported higher exposure to domestic violence and experienced significantly more neglect, psychological and physical abuse than the comparison children. Conclusion: The results of this survey demonstrate that maltreatment among children affected by HIV/AIDS are not rare, and that the dysfunction family conditions that they find themselves bear systemic risks for maltreatment. It is important that culturally appropriate and evidence-based interventions are implemented to address the maltreatment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Augustin Nshimiyimana ◽  
Joseph Mucumbitsi ◽  
Callixte Yadufashije ◽  
Francois N. Niyonzima

Syphilis in pregnant women caused by Treponema pallidum remains a major cause of reproductive morbidity and poor pregnancy outcomes in developing countries. Severe neonatal infections, stillbirths, perinatal deaths, and low birth weight babies are common among mothers with syphilis infection. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors associated to syphilis in pregnant women. A cross-sectional and retrospective studies were conducted among pregnant women who attended the prenatal service at the Gisovu health center. Participants were pregnant women who tested positive for syphilis based on lab results and responses collected from anonymous questionnaires completed with sexual behaviors, demographics, sexual partners, history of abortion, and knowledge about STDs. The prevalence of syphilis was 5.74%. Syphilis was associated to the history of previous abortion (P = 0.005 < 0.05), a low level of education (P = 0.049 < 0.05), and marital status (P = 0.044 < 0.05). The main associated behavioral factor was women who had sex with different partners using condom and did not acquire syphilis infection (P = 0.00 < 0.05). Syphilis is still a public health concern in patients and especially in pregnant women as shown by the findings of this study. It is very important to screen all pregnant women for syphilis and to strengthen the existing antenatal care services and health education on transmission and prevention of the disease.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-45
Author(s):  
Suresh Jaiswal ◽  
Laxman Banstola ◽  
Manisha Shrestha ◽  
Srijana Sapkota ◽  
Sujan Sharma ◽  
...  

Introduction: Syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease is one of the oldest diseases caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, has been a major public health concern worldwide. The aim is to find out the prevalence of syphilis and its risk factors among people with HIV at Western Regional hospital in Nepal. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at one of the largest public hospitals in Western Region of Nepal. A consecutive 90 HIV-positive patients were recruited prospectively from December 2016 to February 2017. Blood samples and data on sociodemographic and risk factors were collected. Serum were diagnosed for syphilis using Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) test. Results: The prevalence of syphilis infection was 12.2% in HIV positive participants. Syphilis occurred exclusively in male 7 comparatively 4 in female. Seropositivity of syphilis was seen higher in married than unmarried HIV infected individuals. Syphilis prevalence seems to increase with increasing age, with the highest rate in the age group 35–50 years. A decreasing rate of syphilis was observed with increasing educational level, where illiterate HIV-positive participants had higher infection compared with those having at least a certificate. Conclusion: Higher prevalence of syphilis in people with HIV infection demands the need to target this people to prevent the transmission of both infections. Testing for all HIV-infected people for syphilis and management of the infected would have clinical and epidemiological importance.


2005 ◽  
Vol 134 (3) ◽  
pp. 659-666 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. F. KALANDA ◽  
F. H. VERHOEFF ◽  
L. CHIMSUKU ◽  
G. HARPER ◽  
B. J. BRABIN

To determine factors associated with fetal growth, preterm delivery and stillbirth in an area of high malaria transmission in Southern Malawi, a cross-sectional study of pregnant women attending and delivering at two study hospitals was undertaken. A total of 243 (17·3%) babies were preterm and 54 (3·7%) stillborn. Intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR) occurred in 285 (20·3%), of whom 109 (38·2%) were low birthweight and 26 (9·1%) preterm. Factors associated with IUGR were maternal short stature [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1·6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·0–2·5]; primigravidae (AOR 1·9, 95% CI 1·4–2·7); placental or peripheral malaria at delivery (AOR 1·4, 95% CI 1·0–1·9) and maternal anaemia at recruitment (Hb <8 g/dl) (AOR 1·9, 95% CI 1·3–2·7). Increasing parasite density in the placenta was associated with both IUGR (P=0·008) and prematurity (P=0·02). Factors associated with disproportionate fetal growth were maternal malnutrition [mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) <23 cm, AOR 1·9, 95% CI 1·0–3·7] and primigravidae (AOR 1·8, 95% CI 1·0–3·1). Preterm delivery and stillbirth were associated with <5 antenatal care visits (AOR 2·2, 95% CI 1·3–3·7 and AOR 3·1, 95% CI 1·4–7·0 respectively) and stillbirth with a positive Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test (AOR 4·7, 95% CI 1·5–14·8). Interventions to reduce poor pregnancy outcomes must reduce the burden of malaria in pregnancy, improve antenatal care and maternal malnutrition.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0241999
Author(s):  
Cyprien Kengne-Nde ◽  
Jean de Dieu Anoubissi ◽  
Gabriel Loni-Ekali ◽  
Celine Nguefeu-Nkenfou ◽  
Yasmine Moussa ◽  
...  

Background Syphilis and HIV can be transmitted from pregnant women to their children and they remain a public health problem in Africa. Our study aimed to determine the trends of seroprevalence of HIV/syphilis co-infection and syphilis infection overtime through the national surveillance system in Cameroon and to explore associated risk factors. Methods We conducted cross-sectional studies of HIV and syphilis, targeting each year 7000 first antenatal care (ANC-1) attendees at the same sites during the 2009, 2012 and 2017 sentinel surveillance surveys. Pregnant women were enrolled at their ANC-1, sociodemographic and clinical information were collected. HIV and Syphilis test were performed by serial algorithm as per the national guidelines. Trends were assessed for HIV, syphilis and HIV/syphilis by estimating seroprevalence from cross-sectional studies. Associated risk factors were explored using multinomial logistic regression with 4 outcomes: HIV/syphilis co-infection, HIV infection only, syphilis infection only and no infection. Results Overall, 6 632, 6 521 and 6 859 pregnant women were enrolled in 2009, 2012 and 2017 respectively. In 2017, a total of 3 901 pregnant women enrolled were tested for syphilis. Almost half of them (47.9%) were living in urban area and were aged less than 25 years (44.7%). While HIV epidemic was on a decline (from 7.6% (95% CI: 6.99–8.28) in 2009 to 5.7% (95% CI: 4.93–6.4) in 2017), a huge significant increase of syphilis prevalence was observed (from 0.6% (95% CI:0.40–0.80) in 2009 to 5.7% (95% CI:4.93–6.40) in 2017). Pregnant women residing in rural areas were more likely to be infected with syphilis than those living in the urban area (aOR = 1.8 [95% CI: 1.3–2.4]). Unmarried pregnant women were three time more likely to be infected by HIV/Syphilis Co-infection than married, cohabiting, widow or divorced pregnant women (aOR = 2.8 [95% CI: 1.3–2.4]). Furthermore; living in Northern region was associated with a lower risk of being infected with HIV (aOR = 0.6 [95% CI: 0.5–0.9]) and Syphilis infection (aOR = 0.6 [95% CI: 0.4–0.9]). Conclusion The epidemiological dynamics of syphilis suggests a growing burden of syphilis infection in the general population of Cameroon. Our findings support the fact that while emphasizing strategies to fight HIV, huge efforts should also be made for strategies to prevent and fight syphilis infection especially among HIV positive women, in rural area, and southern regions.


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