scholarly journals The Epidemiological Impact of STIs among General and Vulnerable Populations of the Amazon Region of Brazil: 30 Years of Surveillance

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 855
Author(s):  
Luiz Fernando Almeida Machado ◽  
Ricardo Roberto de Souza Fonseca ◽  
Maria Alice Freitas Queiroz Aldemir Branco Oliveira-Filho ◽  
Izaura Maria Vieira Cayres-Vallinoto ◽  
Antonio Carlos Rosário Vallinoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Workers ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Treponema Pallidum ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Geographic Region ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Sexually Transmitted

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) represent a worldwide public health problem and, although many of them are curable, they continue to be neglected, especially in areas with a low human development index, such as in the northern region of Brazil. This review describes the results of 30 years of studies at the Virus Laboratory at the Federal University of Pará, including the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of HIV-1, HTLV-1/2, HPV, HBV, Treponema pallidum and Chlamydia trachomatis among urban and non-urban populations, and also in vulnerable groups in the Brazilian Amazon. Control strategies and challenges in preventing STIs are discussed considering this immense geographic region, where essential health services are unable to reach the entire population, especially the most vulnerable, such as female sex workers, people who use illicit drugs, remnants of quilombolos and indigenous communities.

scholarly journals Estimating the cost and effectiveness of different STI management strategies for sex workers in Madagascar

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Workers ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Medical Visits ◽  
Syndromic Approach ◽  
The Cost

In Madagascar, the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is a serious public health problem, particularly among sex workers. A Horizons study conducted in 2000 found approximately two-thirds of female sex workers had an STI, although few were infected with HIV. Since the link between STIs and transmission of HIV has been well established, affordable strategies to manage STIs among sex workers need to be developed. Study investigators also assessed STI management practices in health facilities in two urban areas of Madagascar. Health practitioners were using a syndromic approach, which may be appropriate for managing certain STIs in the general population but is less appropriate for sex workers who may have multiple, often asymptomatic infections. Diagnosing STIs with laboratory tests would make medical visits prohibitively expensive. Researchers developed a risk profile for various STIs based on characteristics of women that present with each STI, such as age, number of partners, symptoms. The investigators hypothesized that a risk assessment tool using these profiles would result in more appropriate and effective STI treatment for sex workers. This summary presents a cost-effectiveness analysis of different strategies to manage STIs among sex workers in Madagascar.

scholarly journals Sero-epidemiology and risk factors of syphilis in Makassar, Indonesia

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 43-49
Author(s):  
Maryam Kusumawaty ◽  
Khairuddin Djawad ◽  
Muh Nasrum Massi ◽  
Andi Muhammad Adam ◽  
Siswanto Wahab ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Treponema Pallidum ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Sexual Relationships ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Introduction. Syphilis is an infectious disease caused by Treponema pallidum spirochete and is mainly transmitted by sexual contact. Syphilis has the potential to cause serious complications and is closely related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection thus making syphilis still a major public health problem. In Indonesia, surveys of high-risk populations in 2007 and 2011 reported an increase in the prevalence of syphilis, especially in men who have sexual relationships with other men (MSM). Moreover, studies have described risk factors for HIV transmission including MSM, heterosexual contacts, Intravenous (IV) drug use, and infected partners. Objectives. To assess the epidemiological aspects and risk factors for syphilis in Makassar, as well as the correlation with a coinfection of other sexually transmitted infections. Material and Methods. This study is a multi-centre cross-sectional descriptive study with consecutive sampling. We evaluated cases for eligibility by confirming the diagnosis based on the serological result using rapid plasma reagin assay (RPR), Treponema pallidum haemagglutination (TPHA), and HIV screening kit. The cases were analyzed based on epidemiological features, risk factors and clinical findings, co-infection with other sexually transmitted infection (ST), and stadium of the disease. Results. A total of 79 serologically confirmed syphilis cases were collected between January 2017 and December 2018 in Makassar, the capital city of South Sulawesi province in Indonesia. Of the 63 male subjects (79.7%), 38 (48.1%) were homosexual/MSM, and in 41 cases of HIV-infected subjects, 25 (60.9%) of them were also MSM. Conclusion. Our study showed there was a significant correlation between syphilis and an increased risk of HIV transmission in MSM groups. The higher number of cases of syphilis and HIV co-infection among MSM can increase transmission of both infections and should be considered a major risk factor for syphilis in Makassar.

Syphilis (Treponema pallidum)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark N. Gilroy ◽  
Juan C. Salazar
Keyword(s):  
Congenital Syphilis ◽  
Transmitted Disease ◽  
Treponema Pallidum ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Serological Screening ◽  
Sexually Transmitted

Syphilis, a chronic, sexually transmitted disease caused by the extracellular spirochete Treponema pallidum, has exhibited a remarkable resurgence in recent years. Despite the existence of inexpensive, easily administered, and highly effective antibiotic treatments, maternal and neonatal syphilis infections continue to be a major global public health problem. In addition to its potential to cause morbidity in the mother, untreated gestational syphilis (GS) can lead to serious adverse outcomes in the offspring, including stillbirth, prematurity, low birth weight, and neonatal death. Congenital syphilis (CS) is regarded as a missed opportunity during the antenatal care of the mother, resulting from socioeconomic, demographic, and behavioral factors that promote mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of syphilis. This chapter emphasizes emerging concepts about screening aimed at controlling the ongoing epidemic, including serological screening of mother and infant, newer paradigms of “reverse screening,” clinical presentation, therapy, and long-term neurodevelopmental disabilities that must be a component of follow-up care.

scholarly journals Epidemic cycles driven by host behaviour

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (99) ◽  
pp. 20140575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin M. Althouse ◽  
Laurent Hébert-Dufresne
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behaviour ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Treponema Pallidum ◽  
Structured Populations ◽  
Behavioural Interventions ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Host Behaviour

Host immunity and demographics (the recruitment of susceptibles via birthrate) have been demonstrated to be a key determinant of the periodicity of measles, pertussis and dengue epidemics. However, not all epidemic cycles are from pathogens inducing sterilizing immunity or are driven by demographics. Many sexually transmitted infections are driven by sexual behaviour. We present a mathematical model of disease transmission where individuals can disconnect and reconnect depending on the infectious status of their contacts. We fit the model to historic syphilis ( Treponema pallidum ) and gonorrhea ( Neisseria gonorrhoeae ) incidence in the USA and explore potential intervention strategies against syphilis. We find that cycles in syphilis incidence can be driven solely by changing sexual behaviour in structured populations. Our model also explains the lack of similar cycles in gonorrhea incidence even if the two infections share the same propagation pathways. Our model similarly illustrates how sudden epidemic outbreaks can occur on time scales smaller than the characteristic demographic time scale of the population and that weaker infections can lead to more violent outbreaks. Behaviour also appears to be critical for control strategies as we found a bigger sensitivity to behavioural interventions than antibiotic treatment. Thus, behavioural interventions may play a larger role than previously thought, especially in the face of antibiotic resistance and low intervention efficacies.

The role of sex worker clients in transmission of HIV in Cambodia

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 170-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leng Bun Hor ◽  
Roger Detels ◽  
Sopheab Heng ◽  
Phalkun Mun
Keyword(s):  
Sex Workers ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Transmitted Disease ◽  
Hiv Knowledge ◽  
Sex Worker ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Hiv Test ◽  
History Of ◽  
High Level

The study investigated whether clients of sex workers are a bridge for transmission of HIV to the general population of Cambodia. We interviewed and collected blood from 468 clients attending 30 randomly selected brothels in three provinces of Cambodia. The levels of HIV knowledge and condom use, and prevalence of HIV (9.2%) were high. Almost 40% of those interviewed had sex with women other than sex workers (wives, girlfriends, etc.), but rarely used condoms. Sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates were high, but most sought treatment from pharmacies. HIV infection was correlated with a history of STD, having had an HIV test, not living with one's wife, a high level of HIV/AIDS knowledge, and condom slippage/breakage. Clients are a major bridge for HIV transmission from sex workers. Current condom promotion programmes need to target non-sex worker intercourse. More effective, acceptable STD-control strategies need to be implemented and evaluated.

scholarly journals Acceptability of the female condom after a social marketing campaign in Campinas, Brazil

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Social Marketing ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Unwanted Pregnancy ◽  
Female Condom ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Social Marketing Campaign ◽  
Health Clinics ◽  
Female Condoms

The female condom is a relatively new product that is intended to serve the dual role of protecting against unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Recent research has found moderate to high levels of initial trial and acceptance of the female condom among women. However, information is lacking about its continued use, particularly among women at high risk of HIV and other STIs. The female condom was registered in Brazil in January 1997 and since then has been available commercially through DKT, a social marketing organization. In addition to socially marketed female condoms, the Brazilian Ministry of Health has also given female condoms to public health clinics and community organizations to distribute free as part of activities targeted to vulnerable groups of women. This brief summarizes the findings from a study that examined the role of the female condom as a method of protection against HIV/STIs among female sex workers in Campinas, Brazil, who received increased access to the product and information about it through an educational and social marketing intervention.

scholarly journals Sexually Transmitted Infections in Women Participating in a Biomedical Intervention Trial in Durban: Prevalence, Coinfections, and Risk Factors

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathlee Samantha Abbai ◽  
Handan Wand ◽  
Gita Ramjee
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽  
Treponema Pallidum ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Sti Prevention ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Biomedical Intervention

Background. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to be a significant public health problem especially among women of reproductive age in Africa. Methods. A total of 2236 women that had enrolled in the MDP301 vaginal microbicide trial were tested for the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhea (NG), Treponema pallidum, and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV). Results. CT was identified as the most prevalent STI (11%) followed by TV (10%), NG, and Syphilis (3%). The highest prevalence of coinfection was reported between T. pallidum and TV (19.67%, P=0.004), followed by CT and TV (13.52%, P≤0.001). Risk factors that were significantly associated with STI acquisition were women of 23 years of age or younger (HR: 1.50, 95% CI 1.17, 1.93), baseline STI with CT (HR: 1.77, 95% CI 1.32, 2.35), TV (HR: 1.58, 95% CI, 1.20, 2.10), and T. pallidum (HR: 5.13, 95% CI 3.65, 7.22), and a low education level (HR: 1.30, 95% CI 1.02, 1.66). Conclusion. Young women with lower education and a history of STIs are at high risk of multiple STIs. Prevention programs should consider target approach to STI prevention among young women. This trial is registered with ISRCTN64716212.

scholarly journals Gonococcal infections: The trends of antimicrobial susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Western Nepal

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 74-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
DR Bhatta ◽  
S Gokhale ◽  
MT Ansari ◽  
HK Tiwari ◽  
A Gaur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neisseria Gonorrhoeae ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Diffusion Method ◽  
Resistance Pattern ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
Important Public Health Problem ◽  
Clinical Specimens ◽  
Chocolate Agar ◽  
Sexually Transmitted

Background: Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, is an important public health problem and is the second most common reportable sexually transmitted bacterial infection. Present study was conducted to determine the antimicrobial resistance pattern of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates from various clinical specimens. Methods: This is a hospital based retrospective study conducted at Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal. Various clinical specimens (urethral, cervical and conjunctival discharges) were collected from the suspected cases of gonococcal infections between January 2004 to December 2010. Specimens were subjected to Gram stain and culture on chocolate agar. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed on chocolate agar by Kirby Bauer’s disc diffusion method. Results: A total of 119 patients were tested for gonococcal infections. Forty-eight patients were diagnosed as having gonococcal infections, of which 40 cases were culture positive. Penicillin resistance was seen in 27 (67%) cases while all isolates were sensitive to ceftriaxone. Conclusion: Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics like penicillin, ciprofloxacin and tetracycline. Therefore, continuous surveillance of antibiotic resistance pattern is required in order to start empirical antibiotic therapy in high risk population like commercial sex workers. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njms.v1i2.6603 Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences. 2012;1(2): 74-78

scholarly journals Factors Influencing Uptake of Sexually Transmitted Infections Screening Among Adolescent Female Sex Workers in Mukono District

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Nakkazi ◽  
Miisa Nanyingi
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Sex Work ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Female Sex Workers ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Adolescent Female ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Female Sex ◽  
Mukono District

Abstract BackgroundWorldwide, more than 1 million Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are acquired every day and female adolescents aged 10 to 19 years are almost twice more susceptible to STIs than boys of the same age. The highest STI prevalence has been reported among key populations such as Female Sex Workers (FSWs) and fisher folk. This study investigated the factors influencing uptake of sexually transmitted infections screening among Adolescent Female sex Workers (AFSWs) in Mukono district, Uganda.MethodsIn this cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study, a total of 355 AFSWs based on the streets, bars, lodges, hotels, brothels, landing sites and other entertainment places in Mukono district were recruited using snowball sampling. Data was collected using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires through face to face interviews with the help of trained research assistants. Data collected was entered into Epi-Data and then exported to SPSS for analysis. Analysis was done at three levels; Univariate for descriptive summary, Bivariate to test for possible association between each independent variable and the outcome variable, and Multivariate logistic regression to control for possible confounding effects of the independent variables. Chi square (χ2) test was done and p value 0.05 used to determine the association.ResultsThis study found that uptake of STIs screening among AFSWs was 32.1%. AFSWs who reported that STI screening wasn’t embarrassing were 3 times more likely to take-up STI screening than those who said uptake of STI screening was embarrassing (PR = 3.45, 95%CI = 1.96–6.09, P = < 0.001). AFSWs who reported that STI screening wasn’t painful were 5 times more likely to take-up STI screening than those who said uptake of STI screening was painful (PR = 5.45, 95%CI = 2.78–10.66, P = < 0.001).ConclusionSTIs screening rate among AFSWs in Mukono district was at 32.1%. Individual factors (attitude) and health facility factors were found to be the real influencers of uptake of STI screening among AFSWs in Mukono district. We, therefore, recommend that government scales up provision of sexually transmitted infection screening to even cater for high risk and vulnerable groups to facilitate and increase access to STI screening.Plain English summarySexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) refer to conditions caused by pathogens that can be acquired and transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse such as cervical cancer, candida, HIV. Because majority of STIs are asymptomatic, screening uptake is of paramount importance for early detection followed by prompt treatment among high risk vulnerable groups such as Adolescent Female Sex Workers (AFSWs).Adolescence is a transitional phase of growth and development between childhood and adulthood and an adolescent is any person between ages 10 and 19. Sex work is the exchange of money, goods or services for sex and he who practices sex work is a sex worker. Quite a number of reasons such as age, peer pressure and others may explain why adolescents engage in immoral behaviors including sex work. In this STI screening uptake study, pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data from respondents on what was influencing their uptake of STI screening. Of the 355 respondents, majority 241 had never screened for STIs and 114 had screened. The research priorities identified were individual factors (attitude) and health facility factors as real influencers of uptake of STI screening among AFSWs in Mukono district.In conclusion, AFSWs require information related to STIs and its screening. Information dissemination can be intensified at clinical and non-clinical sites to increase awareness and improve accessibility to STI screening experience among high risk vulnerable groups in Mukono district, hence reduce the prevalence among AFSWs, avert the risk of complications and eliminate sustained transmission in the community.

scholarly journals Etiology of Sexually Transmitted Infections among Street-Based Female Sex Workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh

2000 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 1244-1246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Motiur Rahman ◽  
Ashraful Alam ◽  
Khairun Nessa ◽  
Anowar Hossain ◽  
Shamsun Nahar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽  
Female Sex Workers ◽  
Treponema Pallidum ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Female Sex ◽  
Etiological Study ◽  
Simplex Virus ◽  
Herpes Simplex Virus 2

An etiological study of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) was conducted among female sex workers (FSWs) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Endocervical swab and blood samples from 269 street-based FSWs were examined for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Trichomonas vaginalis as well as for antibodies to Treponema pallidum and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2). Sociodemographic data and data regarding behavior were also collected. A total of 226 of the 269 FSWs (84%) were positive for the STI pathogens studied. Among the 269 FSWs, 35.5% were positive forN. gonorrhoeae, 25% were positive for C. trachomatis, 45.5% were positive for T. vaginalis, 32.6% were seropositive for T. pallidum, 62.5% were seropositive for HSV-2, and 51% had infections with two or more pathogens.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document