Sexually transmitted infections—Research priorities for new challenges

Low, Nicola; Broutet, Nathalie

doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1002481

Cited by 18 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Moreover, recent evidence has highlighted diagnosis of congenital syphilis cases potentially facilitated by behaviourally bisexual MSM bridging between sexual networks . In conclusion, our findings emphasize that primary and secondary STI prevention and control interventions among MSM, regardless of their HIV status, remain vital .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 52%

Association between knowledge, risk behaviours, and testing for sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men: findings from a large online survey in the United Kingdom

et al. 2019

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Objectives In the UK, men who have sex with men (MSM) bear a disproportionate sexually transmitted infection (STI) burden. We investigated MSM's STI knowledge; whether their STI testing behaviour met national guidelines (annually if sexually active; 3‐monthly if engaging in STI risk behaviours); and the relationship between STI testing in the last 3 months, STI knowledge and STI risk behaviours by HIV status. Methods Sexually active (in the last year) men aged > 15 years who were UK residents and were recruited from gay‐orientated online dating platforms completed an anonymous online survey about STI knowledge, STI risk behaviours, and STI testing (March–May 2017). This included 11 true statements about STIs. Respondents scored 1 for each statement they ‘knew’, with those scoring < 6 overall treated as having ‘poor’ STI knowledge. Descriptive and multivariable analyses were conducted, separately by HIV status, to test our hypothesis and calculate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Compared to HIV‐positive men (n = 489), the proportion of HIV‐negative/unknown‐status men (n = 3157) with ‘poor’ STI knowledge was significantly higher (46.4% versus 22.9% for HIV‐positive men) and the proportion with STI testing in the last 12 months was lower (71.6% versus 87.2%, respectively). In the last 3 months, 56.9% of HIV‐negative/unknown‐status and 74.1% of HIV‐positive men reported STI risk behaviours, of whom 45.8% and 55.1%, respectively, had been tested for STIs during this time. Among HIV‐negative/unknown‐status men, those reporting STI risk behaviours were more likely (AOR 1.52; 95% CI 1.26–1.84) and those with poor STI knowledge less likely (AOR 0.73; 95% CI 0.61–0.89) to have been tested during the last 3 months. However, neither factor was independently associated with 3‐monthly testing among HIV‐positive men. Conclusions Improving STI knowledge, especially among HIV‐negative/unknown‐status men, and promoting frequent STI testing among men engaging in STI risk behaviours are vital to address the poor sexual health of MSM.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 52%

Association between knowledge, risk behaviours, and testing for sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men: findings from a large online survey in the United Kingdom

et al. 2019

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“…Reduction of incident STIs has proven difficult. Condom use as the sole primary prevention method has historically failed to achieve high efficacy rates 9. Yet in the era of U=U (undetectable=untransmittable), improved messaging around high STI rates and HIV acquisition risk remains of importance towards reducing high-risk behaviours.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexually transmitted infections in persons living with HIV infection and estimated HIV transmission risk: trends over time from the DC Cohort

et al. 2020

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ObjectiveA rise in incidence of STIs has been noted in the USA and in the District of Columbia (DC). We aim to describe changes in incident STIs among persons in care for HIV in Washington, DC as well as trends in HIV viral load among those with incident STIs.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective DC Cohort analysis (n=7810) measuring STI incidence (syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia) as well as incare viral load (ICVL) and percentage with all viral loads less than the limit of detection (%<LLOD) by year (2012–2016) among those with incident STIs.ResultsFrom 2012 to 2016, the incidence of STIs increased: chlamydia from 2.1 to 3.4 cases/100 person-years (p=0.0006), gonorrhoea from 2.1 to 4.0 (p<0.0001), syphilis from 1.7 to 2.6 (p=0.0042) and any STI episode from 5.3 to 8.8 (p<0.0001). STI incidence rates increased for those aged 18–34 (from 13.2 to 23.2 cases/100 person-years, p<0.0001), cisgender men (from 6.5 to 11.5, p<0.0001), non-Hispanic whites (from 8.6 to 16.1, p=0.0003) and men who have sex with men (from 9.3 to 15.7, p<0.0001). During 2012–2016, the ICVL among those with incident STIs improved from 108 to 19 copies/mL and %<LLOD from 23.6% to 55.1%. However, even in 2016, younger participants, cisgender and transgender women, non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics had higher ICVLs and lower %<LLOD.ConclusionsRates of incident STIs rose among persons in care for HIV in Washington, DC, with improved but not optimal measures of HIV viral suppression. These findings inform focused interventions towards preventing STI transmission and ending the HIV epidemic.

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“…The urgent need for innovative research is one of the strategic plans of WHO to address the burden of STDs globally [2,14]. A preponderance of studies of syphilis/HIV coinfection in Nigeria has been on pregnant women because of the risk of congenital transmission.…”

Section: Whomentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The World Health Organization [1] estimates that over 1 million new STDs are acquired each day. STDs have become lethal factors in the global burden of disease, with their management hampered by the diversity of pathogens, social stigmatization, and by lack of or mild symptoms [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Treponema pallidum (Syphilis) Co-infection in Uyo, Nigeria

Okonko

Adiele

Awanye

et al. 2020

I-SRR

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Aim: HIV/AIDS remains a leading cause of death and disability in Sub Saharan Africa and this accounts for almost half of the world’s HIV related deaths. On the other hand, bacterial sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as syphilis contributes to the morbidity and mortality obtained in developing countries. Co-infection of syphilis and HIV may increase the risk of HIV transmission and adversely affect reproductive health. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of STDs in HIV positive individuals can help prevent spread to their partners. There is also very little information about incidence and prevalence of HIV/Syphilis co-infection and their determinants. The aim of this study is to evaluate the HIV/Syphilis co-infection among HIV-infected individuals in Uyo, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 176 individuals living with HIV participated in this study. The average age of the study participants was 39.1 years from a range of 6-67 years. Plasma samples obtained from the human subjects were analysed for presence of HIV and Syphilis antibodies using enzyme-Linked immunosorbent Assay. Results: Our findings showed that the overall prevalence of HIV/Syphilis co-infection in Uyo was 1.7%. Analysis of the results revealed that the variables—sex and educational background—significantly influenced the rate of syphilis sero-positivity among the population under study. While variables- age, marital status and occupational skills non-significantly influenced the rate of syphilis sero-positivity among the population under study. Conclusion: This study confirmed the co-infection of HIV and Syphilis in Uyo, Nigeria. Early screening of Syphilis and other STDs contributes to the control of infection and reduces the spread of HIV to partners. A number of primary preventive interventions for HIV and syphilis need to be adopted including use of condoms and medical male circumcision in order to improve sexual and reproductive health amongst individuals.

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Sexually transmitted infections—Research priorities for new challenges

Abstract: In an Editorial, Guest Editors Nicola Low and Nathalie Broutet discuss the Collection on sexually transmitted infections in the context of research priorities in the field.

Cited by 18 publications

References 14 publications

Association between knowledge, risk behaviours, and testing for sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men: findings from a large online survey in the United Kingdom

Association between knowledge, risk behaviours, and testing for sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men: findings from a large online survey in the United Kingdom

Sexually transmitted infections in persons living with HIV infection and estimated HIV transmission risk: trends over time from the DC Cohort

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Treponema pallidum (Syphilis) Co-infection in Uyo, Nigeria

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