The Epidemiology of Syphilis in the Volta Region of Ghana: A Five-Year Multisite Parallel Population-Based Analysis vis-à-vis the Sentinel Survey

Abstract Background: Syphilis is contagious and one of the oldest sexually transmitted infections, with great public health consequences. This study aimed to comparatively describe the five–year (2013-2017) regional epidemiology of syphilis infection using pregnant women in the Sentinel Survey and apparently healthy blood donors as proxy for the general population at the four sentinel sites in the Volta Region of Ghana. Method: We analysed retrospectively data from 17,744 prospective blood donors aged between 18 to 58 years and 7,805 pregnant women in a Sentinel Survey who fell within the 15 and 49 years age bracket at Hohoe, Ho, Tongu and Krachi-West sentinel sites in the Volta Region. Data extracted included age, gender, date of blood donation and Treponena pallidum chromatographic immunoassay results from the blood banks of the four study sites. Published reports of Sentinel Surveys conducted at the four sentinel sites from the years 2013-2017 were retrieved. Results: The cumulative five-year prevalence of syphilis infections among the pregnant women in the Sentinel Survey and prospective blood donors was 0.38% and 2.38% respectively. Site-specific prevalence for population-base/Sentinel survey was 4.6%/0.4%, 2.0%/0.2%, 1.3%/0.8 and 1.2%/0.2 for Hohoe, Ho, Krachi-West and Tongu respectively. New Syphilis infection rate was 0.31% in the sentinel survey and 2.22% in the general population. Significant gender disparity in syphilis infection exist with male preponderance. Conclusion: The regional prevalence of syphilis infection in the Sentinel Survey is lower compared to the general population. Therefore, the use of pregnant women as proxy for population estimate could lead to underestimation of the burden in the study jurisdiction.

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A comparative study of the epidemiology of Treponemal Infection in the Volta Region of Ghana: A Five-Year Multisite Parallel Population-Based Analysis vis-à-vis the Sentinel Survey

10.21203/rs.2.9743/v2 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Sylvester Yao Lokpo ◽

Ellis Owusu-Dabo ◽

John Gameli Deku ◽

Verner Ndudiri Orish ◽

Gideon Kye-Duodu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Blood Donors ◽

Blood Donation ◽

Age Groups ◽

Population Based ◽

Gender Disparity ◽

Treponemal Infection ◽

Volta Region ◽

Study Sites

Abstract Abstract Background: Treponemal infection is contagious and one of the oldest blood-borne infections, with great public health consequences. This study aimed to comparatively describe the five–year (2013-2017) regional epidemiology of Treponemal infection using pregnant women in the Sentinel Survey and apparently healthy blood donors as proxy for the general population at the four sentinel sites in the Volta Region of Ghana. Method: We analysed retrospectively data from 17,744 prospective blood donors aged between 18 to 58 years and 7,805 pregnant women in a Sentinel Survey who fell within the 15 and 49 years age bracket at Hohoe, Ho, Tongu and Krachi-West sentinel sites in the Volta Region. Data extracted included age, gender, date of blood donation and Treponena pallidum chromatographic immunoassay results from the blood banks of the four study sites. Published reports of Sentinel Surveys conducted at the four sentinel sites from the years 2013-2017 were retrieved. Results: The cumulative five-year prevalence of Treponemal infections among the pregnant women in the Sentinel Survey and prospective blood donors was 0.38% and 2.38% respectively. Site-specific prevalence for population-base/Sentinel survey was 4.6%/0.4%, 2.0%/0.2%, 1.3%/0.8 and 1.2%/0.2 for Hohoe, Ho, Krachi-West and Tongu respectively. Treponemal infection rates among the younger age groups (15-24years) were 0.31% in the sentinel survey and 2.22% in the general population. Significant gender disparity in Treponemal infection exist with male preponderance. Conclusion: The regional prevalence of Treponemal infection in the Sentinel Survey is lower compared to the general population. Therefore, the use of pregnant women as proxy for population estimate could lead to underestimation of the burden in the study jurisdiction.

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A Comparative Study of the Epidemiology of Treponemal Infection in the Volta and Oti Regions of Ghana: A Five-Year Multisite Parallel Population-Based Analysis vis-à-vis the Sentinel Survey

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2021/4462389 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Sylvester Yao Lokpo ◽

Ellis Owusu-Dabo ◽

John Gameli Deku ◽

Verner Ndudiri Orish ◽

Gideon Kye-Duodu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Infection Rate ◽

Blood Donors ◽

Blood Donation ◽

Laboratory Data ◽

Treponema Pallidum ◽

Population Based ◽

Gender Disparity ◽

Treponemal Infection

Treponemal infections can be blood-borne with great public health consequences. This study is aimed at comparatively describing the five-year (2013-2017) regional epidemiology of treponemal infection using pregnant women in the sentinel survey and apparently healthy blood donors as a proxy for the general population at four sentinel sites in the Volta and Oti Regions of Ghana. We analyzed retrospective data from 17,744 prospective blood donors aged 18 to 58 years and 7,817 pregnant women in a sentinel survey with ages from 15 to 49 years at Hohoe, Ho, Tongu, and Krachi West sentinel sites in the Volta and Oti Regions. Laboratory data extracted include variables such as age, gender, date of blood donation, and Treponema pallidum chromatographic immunoassay results from the blood banks of the four study sites. The five-year treponemal infection rate among the pregnant women in the sentinel survey and prospective blood donors was 0.79% and 2.38%, respectively. Site-specific infection rate for population-based/sentinel survey was 4.6%/1.1%, 2.0%/0.5%, 1.3%/1.1, and 1.2%/0.3% for Hohoe, Ho, Krachi West, and Tongu, respectively. Significant gender disparity in Treponemal infection rate exists with a male preponderance. The regional infection rate in the sentinel survey is lower compared to the general population. Therefore, the use of pregnant women as a proxy for population estimates could underestimate the burden in the study jurisdiction.

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The Epidemiology of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Syphilis in Ghana: A Five-Year Single Urban Site Parallel Population-Based Analysis vis-à-vis the Sentinel Survey

Journal of Tropical Medicine ◽

10.1155/2018/6574731 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

James Osei-Yeboah ◽

Sylvester Yao Lokpo ◽

Francis Abeku Ussher ◽

Verner Ndudiri Orish ◽

Abdul-Wahab Mawuko Hamid ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

General Population ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Blood Donors ◽

Population Based ◽

Urban Site ◽

Sentinel Site ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Cumulative Prevalence ◽

Population Based Survey

The study was aimed at comparing the estimation of the burden and trends (2012–2016) of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Syphilis infections by the national Sentinel Survey vis-à-vis the use of population-based studies at a single urban site (Municipal Hospital) in Ho, the Volta Region of Ghana. Using blood donors as a proxy of the asymptomatic adult population, a retrospective analysis of secondary data on HIV and Syphilis testing was conducted using Ho Municipal Hospital’s archives comprising 4,180 prospective blood donors. Published reports from the National Sentinel Survey for the Ho Sentinel Site comprising 2,452 pregnant women from 2012 to 2016 were used. The cumulative prevalence of HIV and Syphilis infections in the population-based survey was 4.78% and 2.58% while the epidemiology was estimated at 2.75% and 0.24% by the Sentinel Survey for the five-year under review. The new HIV and Syphilis infections were 3.78% and 2.46% in the population-based survey compared to 2.64% and 0.23% in the Sentinel Survey. Gender cumulative prevalence and the yearly trend was found to be higher in the general population compared to the pregnant women. The use of pregnant women to estimate the HIV and Syphilis epidemiology might not be representative of the general population.

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Prevalence and predictors of HIV-syphilis co-infection among HIV-infected pregnant women in China, 2011-2018

10.21203/rs.3.rs-21898/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Qian Wang ◽

Xiao-Yan Wang ◽

Xiaomeng Ma ◽

Lori M Newman ◽

Li-Xia Dou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Junior High School ◽

Case Reports ◽

Care Service ◽

Trend Test ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Syphilis Infection ◽

Transmitted Infection ◽

Sexually Transmitted

Abstract Background The co-infection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and syphilis is risky for pregnant women and their expected children. In 2015, the Integrated Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (iPMTCT) programwas established to offer all pregnant women with free screening, counseling, and testing of HIV and syphilis during regular obstetric inspections. To summarize the phase progress of this program, we reported the trends of maternal HIV-syphilis co-infection in China. We tried to socioeconomic factors associated with HIV-syphilis co-infection to inform the stratified control strategy for future work. Methods We obtained the prevalence data of HIV and syphilis over 2011–2018 by reviewing the Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) monthly update reporting to the central surveillance system. With health status, background characteristics, and health outcomes reported, we collected the case reports from 2,578 HIV-positive pregnant women who accepted the screening at the local clinic. The trends of HIV and syphilis prevalence were examined using the Cochran-Armitage trend test. Logistic regression was applied to detect the features associated with syphilis infection among HIV-positive women and the potential risk factor to neonatal death. Results The prevalence of HIV decreased from 0.076–0.039% among registered pregnant women but increased slightly to 0.054% in 2018. The trend of syphilis prevalence in HIV-infected pregnant women fluctuated slightly around an average of 1.80% (p = .378). Multivariate logistic regression indicated finishing education of junior high school or below (aOR: 1.79, 95%CI: 1.31–2.43; p < .001), on regular Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) (aOR: 1.89, 95%CI: 1.47–2.45; p < .001) and exposed HIV from injective drug use (aOR: 5.49, 95%CI: 3.51–8.61; p < .001) are associated with high syphilis infection risk. Syphilis co-infection with HIV (aOR: 2.81, 95%CI: 1.32–5.96; p < .007) significantly increases the risk of newborns death. Conclusion Syphilis infection is still very prevalent in HIV-positive pregnant women five years after the implementation of iPMTCT program. Promoting the health education for maternal infection of STIs and increasing the availability of early intervention to link more marginalized women with care service should be the focuses of work in the next stage.

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Low prevalence of HIV and other selected sexually transmitted infections in 2004 in pregnant women from Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268807009818 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 136 (9) ◽

pp. 1290-1296 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

R. KINOSHITA-MOLEKA ◽

J. S. SMITH ◽

J. ATIBU ◽

A. TSHEFU ◽

J. HEMINGWAY-FODAY ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

Hiv Transmission ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Male Partner ◽

Treponema Pallidum ◽

Syphilis Infection ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Republic Of The Congo ◽

Low Prevalence

SUMMARYThis study examined the prevalence of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in pregnant women in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Between April and July 2004, antenatal attendees at two of the largest maternity clinics in Kinshasa were tested to identify HIV status, syphilis, Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG). HIV seroprevalence was 1·9% in 2082 women. With PCR techniques, CT and NG infections were also uncommon in the first 529 women (1·7% and 0·4%, respectively). No active syphilis infection case was identified by Treponema pallidum haemagglutination assay (TPHA) and rapid plasma reagin test (RPR). A woman's risk of HIV infection was significantly associated with her reporting a male partner having had other female sexual partners (OR 2·7, 95% CI 1·2–6·2). The continuing low seroprevalence of HIV in pregnant women from Kinshasa was confirmed. Understanding factors associated with this phenomenon could help prevent a future HIV epidemic in low HIV transmission areas in Africa.

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Current prevalence of chronic hepatitis B and C virus infection in the general population, blood donors and pregnant women in the EU/EEA: a systematic review

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268817001947 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 145 (14) ◽

pp. 2873-2885 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

S. H. I. HOFSTRAAT ◽

A. M. FALLA ◽

E. F. DUFFELL ◽

S. J. M. HAHNÉ ◽

A. J. AMATO-GAUCI ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Chronic Hepatitis ◽

General Population ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Blood Donors ◽

Population Estimates ◽

Hcv Prevalence ◽

Hbv Prevalence ◽

The Eu

SUMMARYThis systematic review aimed at estimating chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and C virus (HCV) prevalence in the European Union (EU) and Economic Area (EEA) countries in the general population, blood donors and pregnant women. We searched PubMed©, Embase© and Cochrane Library databases for reports on HBV and HCV prevalence in the general population and pregnant women in EU/EEA countries published between 2005 and 2015. Council of Europe data were used for HBV and HCV blood donor prevalence. HBV general population estimates were available for 13 countries, ranging from 0·1% to 4·4%. HCV general population estimates were available for 13 countries, ranging from 0·1% to 5·9%. Based on general population and blood donor estimates, the overall HBV prevalence in the EU/EEA is estimated to be 0·9% (95% CI 0·7–1·2), corresponding to almost 4·7 million HBsAg-positive cases; and the overall HCV prevalence to be 1·1% (95% CI 0·9–1·4), equalling 5·6 million anti-HCV-positive cases. We found wide variation in HCV and HBV prevalence across EU/EEA countries for which estimates were available, as well as variability between groups often considered a proxy for the general population. Prevalence estimates are essential to inform policymaking and public health practice. Comparing to other regions globally, HBV and HCV prevalence in the EU/EEA is low.

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Prevalence of, and risk factors for, HSV-2 antibodies in sexually transmitted disease patients, healthy pregnant females, blood donors and medical students in Tanzania and Norway

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s095026880500395x ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 133 (5) ◽

pp. 915-925 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

A. NILSEN ◽

D. MWAKAGILE ◽

H. MARSDEN ◽

N. LANGELAND ◽

R. MATRE ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Sexually Transmitted Disease ◽

Western Europe ◽

Blood Donors ◽

Transmitted Disease ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Pregnant Females ◽

History Of ◽

Behavioural Factors

The prevalence of specific HSV-2 antibodies was studied in Tanzanian and Norwegian sexually transmitted disease (STD) patients (1095) and non-STD patients (488). Correlates to demographic and behavioural factors were evaluated. Seropositivity was determined by the non-commercial peptide-55 enzyme-linked immunoassay. The prevalence of HSV-2 antibodies was 70% in Tanzanian and 17% in Norwegian STD patients, 35% in Tanzanian blood donors and pregnant women, and 4, 7 and 14% in Norwegian medical students, blood donors and pregnant women respectively. A higher HSV-2 prevalence was associated with female sex, increasing age, previous STDs, history of genital HSV infection, coitarchal age (age at first intercourse) <15 years and HIV seropositivity. Compared to previous data, the prevalence of HSV-2 antibodies in Tanzanian STD patients has increased remarkably. In Norwegian STD patients our results are consistent with, or lower than, the prevalence previously reported in Western Europe. Demographic rather than behavioural factors were associated with higher prevalence of HSV-2 antibodies in STD patients.

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Distribution and Incidence of Blood-Borne Infection among Blood Donors from Regional Transfusion Centers in Burkina Faso: A Comprehensive Study

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene ◽

10.4269/ajtmh.20-0601 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 104 (4) ◽

pp. 1577-1581

Author(s):

Nicha Wongjarupong ◽

Sharad Oli ◽

Mahamoudou Sanou ◽

Florencia Djigma ◽

Alice Kiba Koumare ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis B ◽

Burkina Faso ◽

Urban Area ◽

Rural Area ◽

Blood Donors ◽

Blood Donation ◽

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen ◽

Residual Risk ◽

Syphilis Infection ◽

Comprehensive Study

ABSTRACTThere is a high prevalence of blood-borne infections in West Africa. This study sought to determine the seroprevalence of blood-borne infections, including hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), HIV, and syphilis, in blood donors in Burkina Faso. Blood donors were recruited from 2009 to 2013 in four major cities in Burkina Faso of urban area (Ouagadougou) and rural area (Bobo Dioulasso, Fada N’Gourma, and Ouahigouya). Serology tests including hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-HCV, anti-HIV, and rapid plasma reagin test were used for screening and were confirmed with ELISA. Disease prevalence was calculated among first-time donors. Incidence and residual risk were calculated from repeat donors. There were 166,681 donors; 43,084 had ≥ 2 donations. The overall seroprevalence of HBV, HCV, HIV, and syphilis were 13.4%, 6.9%, 2.1%, and 2.4%, respectively. The incidence rates (IRs) of HBV, HCV, HIV, and syphilis infection were 2,433, 3,056, 1,121, and 1,287 per 100,000 person-years. There was lower seroprevalence of HBV and HCV in urban area than in rural area (12.9% versus 14.0%, P < 0.001; and 5.9% versus 8.0%, P < 0.001), and no difference in HIV (2.1% versus 2.1%, P = 0.25). The IRs of new HBV, HCV, HIV, and syphilis were 2.43, 3.06, 1.12, and 1.29 per 100,000 person-years, respectively. The residual risk was one per 268 donations for HBV, one per 181 donations for HCV, and one per 1,480 donations for HIV, respectively. In conclusion, this comprehensive study from four blood donation sites in Burkina Faso showed high HBV and HCV seroprevalence and incidence with high residual risk from blood donation.

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Cancer Incidence and Mortality in a Cohort of US Blood Donors: A 20-Year Study

Journal of Cancer Epidemiology ◽

10.1155/2013/814842 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Farnaz Vahidnia ◽

Nora V. Hirschler ◽

Maria Agapova ◽

Artina Chinn ◽

Michael P. Busch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

San Francisco ◽

Cancer Incidence ◽

Blood Donors ◽

Blood Donation ◽

Population Based ◽

Health Seeking ◽

California Cancer Registry ◽

The Pacific ◽

Incidence And Mortality ◽

Seeking Behavior

Blood donors are considered one of the healthiest populations. This study describes the epidemiology of cancer in a cohort of blood donors up to 20 years after blood donation. Records from donors who participated in the Retroviral Epidemiology Donor Study (REDS, 1991–2002) at Blood Centers of the Pacific (BCP), San Francisco, were linked to the California Cancer Registry (CCR, 1991–2010). Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) were estimated using standard US 2000 population, and survival analysis used to compare all-cause mortality among donors and a random sample of nondonors with cancer from CCR. Of 55,158 eligible allogeneic blood donors followed-up for 863,902 person-years, 4,236 (7.7%) primary malignant cancers were diagnosed. SIR in donors was 1.59 (95% CI = 1.54,1.64). Donors had significantly lower mortality (adjusted HR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.66–0.74) compared with nondonor cancer patients, except for respiratory system cancers (adjusted HR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.82–1.05). Elevated cancer incidence among blood donors may reflect higher diagnosis rates due to health seeking behavior and cancer screening in donors. A “healthy donor effect” on mortality following cancer diagnosis was demonstrated. This population-based database and sample repository of blood donors with long-term monitoring of cancer incidence provides the opportunity for future analyses of genetic and other biomarkers of cancer.

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Usage of purchased self-tests for HIV and sexually transmitted infections in Amsterdam, the Netherlands: results of population-based and serial cross-sectional studies among the general population and sexual risk groups

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016609 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (9) ◽

pp. e016609 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Janneke P Bil ◽

Maria Prins ◽

Ineke G Stolte ◽

Henriëtte Dijkshoorn ◽

Titia Heijman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

The Netherlands ◽

Sexual Risk ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Self Test ◽

Test Usage ◽

Over Time

ObjectivesThere are limited data on the usage of commercially bought self-tests for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Therefore, we studied HIV/STI self-test usage and its determinants among the general population and sexual risk groups between 2007 and 2015 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.SettingData were collected in four different studies among the general population (S1–2) and sexual risk groups (S3–4).ParticipantsS1–Amsterdam residents participating in representative population-based surveys (2008 and 2012; n=6044) drawn from the municipality register; S2–Participants of a population-based study stratified by ethnicity drawn from the municipality register of Amsterdam (2011–2015; n=17 603); S3–Men having sex with men (MSM) participating in an HIV observational cohort study (2008 and 2013; n=597) and S4–STI clinic clients participating in a cross-sectional survey (2007–2012; n=5655).Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrevalence of HIV/STI self-test usage and its determinants.ResultsThe prevalence of HIV/STI self-test usage in the preceding 6–12 months varied between 1% and 2% across studies. Chlamydia self-tests were most commonly used, except among MSM in S3. Chlamydia and syphilis self-test usage increased over time among the representative sample of Amsterdam residents (S1) and chlamydia self-test usage increased over time among STI clinic clients (S4). Self-test usage was associated with African Surinamese or Ghanaian ethnic origin (S2), being woman or MSM (S1 and 4) and having had a higher number of sexual partners (S1–2). Among those in the general population who tested for HIV/STI in the preceding 12 months, 5–9% used a self-test.ConclusionsDespite low HIV/STI self-test usage, we observed increases over time in chlamydia and syphilis self-test usage. Furthermore, self-test usage was higher among high-risk individuals in the general population. It is important to continue monitoring self-test usage and informing the public about the unknown quality of available self-tests in the Netherlands and about the pros and cons of self-testing.

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