Gonorrhoea during COVID-19 in London, UK

Whitlock, Gary; McOwan, Alan; Nugent, Diarmuid

doi:10.1136/sextrans-2020-054943

Cited by 12 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…However, the actual case numbers in February 2020 were sharply lower than that of previous years and the predicted case numbers, which showed the significant influence of the COVID-19 epidemic and its control measures. The number of STD cases in other countries also decreased during the lockdown period, such as the gonorrhea cases in London, United Kingdom ( 4 ), syphilis cases in Rome, Italy ( 5 ) and the United States ( 6 ), gonorrhea and syphilis cases in Greece ( 7 ) and Madrid, Spain ( 8 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Melbourne, Australia, the STD consultations and services dropped more than 40% during lockdown ( 12 ). Whitlock et al ( 4 ) and Crane et al ( 6 ) showed the decrease of STD cases mainly because of a sharp drop in the number of asymptomatic cases in the United Kingdom, which were often diagnosed through screening programs, but the programs were particularly influenced by the healthcare disruptions during the lockdown. The perspective was supported by the study in Australia ( 12 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…During the epidemic of COVID-19, the control of STDs became a secluded corner overlooked. Recent studies indicated that the epidemic of COVID-19 and the control policies during the lockdown period could impact the epidemic of STDs ( 4 – 8 ) and related medical services around the world ( 9 – 13 ). However, the COVID-19 epidemic and its control measures' influence on the epidemic of STDs in China has not been quantitatively evaluated yet.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Epidemic of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Under the Influence of COVID-19 in China

Yan

Wang

Zhang

et al. 2021

Front. Public Health

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Background: Prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are major public health priorities in China, but are influenced by the COVID-19 epidemic. In this study, we aimed to quantitatively explore the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic and its control measures on five major STD epidemics in China.Methods: A monthly number of newly reported cases of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, gonorrhea, and syphilis from January 2010 to December 2020 were extracted to establish autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models. Each month's absolute percentage error (APE) between the actual value and model-predicted value of each STD in 2020 was calculated to evaluate the influence of the COVID-19 epidemic on the STDs. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to explore the confirmed COVID-19 case numbers and the COVID-19 control measures' correlations with the case numbers and the APEs of five STDs in 2020.Results: The actual number of five STDs in China was more than 50% lower than the predicted number in the early days of the COVID-19 epidemic, especially in February. Among them, the actual number of cases of hepatitis C, gonorrhea, and syphilis in February 2020 was more than 100% lower than the predicted number (APE was −102.3, −109.0, and −100.4%, respectively). After the sharply declines of STDs' reported cases in early 2020, the case numbers recovered quickly after March. The epidemic of STDs was negatively associated with the COVID-19 epidemic and its control measures, especially for restrictions on gathering size, close public transport, and stay-at-home requirements (p < 0.05).Conclusion: COVID-19 had a significant but temporary influence on the STD epidemic in China. The effective control of COVID-19 is vital for STD prevention. STD services need to be improved to prevent STDs from becoming a secluded corner in the shadow of COVID-19.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Epidemic of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Under the Influence of COVID-19 in China

Yan

Wang

Zhang

et al. 2021

Front. Public Health

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“… 7 This reduction could be associated with a general decrease in sexual activity during this period 8 but also a possibility of constrained access for asymptomatic cases. 9 Public Health England reported an overall 13% reduction in consultations, with a 20% increase in digital consultations during the first lockdown accelerating the provision of digital sexual health services (DSHS). 10 Sexual healthcare professionals (SHPs) were required to utilise digital platforms for remote consultations with little evidence for their effectiveness, safety and acceptability to patients, with some advocating for sexual abstinence.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual healthcare professionals’ views on the rapid provision of remote services at the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed-methods study

et al. 2021

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Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures forced sexual health services to engage with patients remotely. We aimed to understand perceived barriers and facilitators to the provision of digital sexual health services during the first months of the pandemic. Methods: An online survey and qualitative interviews with UK sexual healthcare professionals recruited online and via snowball sampling were conducted in May–July 2020. Results: Amongst 177 respondents (72% female, 86% White, mean age = 46, SD = 9), most utilised telephone and email as their main communication channels; however, their perceived effectiveness varied (94% and 66%, respectively). Most agreed that staff needed additional training (89%), the available technology was not adequate (66%) and health professionals were hesitant to provide online consultations (46%). They had positive attitudes towards digitalisation, improving service quality and cost-effectiveness but were concerned about exacerbating health inequalities. Discussion: The study identifies a need for clear guidelines and training around the use of digital tools as well as a demand for investment in hardware and software required for the provision of remote services. Future research needs to explore the acceptability, safety and effectiveness of various digital tools to narrow health inequalities in sexual health service users.

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“…For example, a reduction in the number of STI cases was reported by several countries during the first lockdown period. [3][4][5] In Italy, however, a slight increase in secondary syphilis and gonorrhea was reported. 6 Furthermore, a reduction in casual sex was noted in several countries, including Belgium, during the first lockdown.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of physical restriction measures imposed during the two waves of COVID-19 on chlamydia and gonorrhea diagnoses in Belgium. Results of an sexually transmitted infection clinic

et al. 2021

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Background: During the first two waves of COVID-19, several physical restriction measurements were imposed in Belgium. Our aim was to explore the impact of these restriction measures on the number of tests and positivity rate of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) /Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) before, during, and after the two lockdowns in Belgium. Methods: Chlamydia trachomatis/Neisseria gonorrhoeae molecular data of a Belgian STI clinic were extracted for 2019 and 2020, and both years were divided into four periods (pre-lockdown 1, lockdown 1, after lockdown 1, and lockdown 2). Weekly testing rates and positivity rate for both STIs were estimated, and mixed-effects logistic regression was used to explore statistical significant changes between both years, and the different periods were compared with the corresponding time period in 2019. The same analysis was done for pre-exposure prophylaxis(PrEP) users only. Results: No overall significant changes in positivity rate were found for either CT (8.0% in 2019 and 7.8% in 2020) or NG (4.5% in 2019 and 5.5% in 2020). Besides a significant drop in the number of CT/NG tests during lockdown 1 (decrease of 87%) and a subsequent increase in NG positivity rate ( p > 0.05), no changes in CT/NG positivity rate were found in the other periods. The highest positivity rate for either CT or NG was found in lockdown 2 (15.1% vs 12.4% in 2019). The number of CT/NG tests in lockdown 2 was still 25% lower than 2019 levels. Subanalysis of only PrEP users revealed the same trend; however, the number of CT/NG tests in lockdown 2 was exactly the same as in 2019. Conclusion: Despite a significant decline in absolute CT or NG cases in lockdown 1, which was most likely a consequence of both physical distancing and reduced testing, CT/NG testing and positivity rates returned to pre-corona levels in lockdown 2, which may depict physical distancing fatigue.

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Gonorrhoea during COVID-19 in London, UK

Cited by 12 publications

References 4 publications

The Epidemic of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Under the Influence of COVID-19 in China

The Epidemic of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Under the Influence of COVID-19 in China

Sexual healthcare professionals’ views on the rapid provision of remote services at the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed-methods study

The impact of physical restriction measures imposed during the two waves of COVID-19 on chlamydia and gonorrhea diagnoses in Belgium. Results of an sexually transmitted infection clinic

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