Assessment of country implementation of the WHO global health sector strategy on sexually transmitted infections (2016-2021)

Abstract

Background In 2016, WHO launched the Global Health Sector Strategy on STIs, 2016–2021 (GHSS) to provide guidance and benchmarks for country achievement by 2020 and four global targets for achievement by 2030. Methods A country survey jointly developed by experienced technical personnel at WHO Headquarters (HQ) and WHO regional offices was reviewed and distributed by WHO regional advisors to 194 WHO Member States in September-March 2020. The survey sought to assess implementation and prioritization of STI policy, surveillance, service delivery, commodity availability, and surveillance based on targets of the GHSS. Results A majority (58%, 112/194) of countries returned a completed survey reflecting current (2019) STI activities. The regions with the highest survey completion rates were South-East Asia Region (91%, 10/11), Region of the Americas (71%, 25/35) and Western Pacific Region (67%, 18/27). Having a national STI strategy was reported by 64% (72/112) and performing STI surveillance activities by 88% (97/110) of reporting countries. Availability of STI services within primary health clinics was reported by 88% of countries (99/112); within HIV clinics by 92% (103/112), and within reproductive health services by 85% (95/112). Existence of a national strategy to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis (EMTCT) was reported by 70% of countries (78/112). Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) monitoring for gonococcal infection (gonorrhoea) was reported by 64% (57/89) of reporting countries with this laboratory capacity. Inclusion of HPV vaccine for young women in the national immunization schedule was reported by 59% (65/110) and availability of cervical cancer screening was reported by 91% (95/104). Stockouts of STI medicines, primarily benzathine penicillin, within the prior four years were reported by 34% (37/110) of countries. Conclusions Mechanisms to support improvements to STI service delivery through national-level policy, commitment, programming and surveillance are needed to operationalize, accelerate and monitor progress towards achievement of the 2030 global STI strategy targets.

Virulence and Adhesion of the Treponema pallidum Nichols Strain Simultaneously Decrease in a Continuous-Infection New Zealand White Rabbit Model

“…1−4 The World Health Organization has declared that approximately six million cases of syphilis occur each year, 5 and over 300,000 fetal and neonatal deaths are attributed to syphilis. 6 Symptomatic syphilis infections are reported to increase the risk of HIV transmission, and HIVpositive patients are more likely to develop syphilis with nontypical features. 7 Despite the effectiveness of penicillin treatment, the persistently high rates of syphilis highlight the critical need to thoroughly understand the mechanisms of T. pallidum pathogenesis for improving its prevention and therapy.…”

Access to Benzathine Penicillin G Treatment for Persons With Syphilis, Maricopa County, Arizona, 2021

“…In addition, the US BPG supply relies on one manufacturer, creating supply risk when demand is not met and alternative US suppliers are not available. 11,22,23 From 2014 to 2016, there was a global shortage of BPG with ongoing shortages being reported in some countries and now occurring again in the United States. 11,22,23 Broader access to 340B pricing and expansion of the supply chain in the United States could help increase the accessibility of BPG to patients.…”

Prevalence and Vulnerability Factors Associated with HIV and Syphilis in Older People from Subnormal Agglomerate, Brazilian Amazon

“…The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) represent concerns in the aging population [1][2][3][4]. Contributing to this scenario is the progress of public policies to combat HIV [5] and STIs [6], and the increase in the number of elderly people who remain sexually active [7]. Among STIs, syphilis implies a greater risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV, which can often coexist.…”

“…STI screening in older populations is necessary to direct care at the local level, being an essential action of the 90-90-90 strategy [3,5,6]. Additionally, the COVD-19 pandemic has impacted access to screenings for STIs, such as HIV and syphilis, and care-related services.…”