The epidemiology of syphilis in Ethiopia: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis covering the last three decades

Kebede, Kindie Mitiku; Abateneh, Dejene Derseh; Belay, Alemayehu Sayih; Manaye, Gizachew Ayele

doi:10.1186/s13643-019-1136-z

Cited by 10 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 34 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…There still is a scarcity of data from well-planned epidemiological studies on the prevalence and risks associated with the disease in the general population as well as high-risk groups like FSW in Ethiopia [ 24 ]. The Ethiopian population-based impact assessment (EPHIA) conducted in urban Ethiopia during 2017–2018 revealed syphilis prevalence among HIV-positive patients was 13.4% (17.4% in men and 11.5% in women) [ 15 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of syphilis and associated factors among female sex workers in Ethiopia: findings from a multilevel analysis of a national bio-behavioral survey

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Syphilis is a highly contagious sexually transmitted infection posing a significant public health challenge, especially in developing countries, including sub-Saharan Africa. Female sex workers are exposed to sexually transmitted infections, including syphilis, because of their sexual behavior and limited access to health services. However, data on national syphilis prevalence estimates and the associated factors are scarce in Ethiopia. This, as well as our limited knowledge about the extent of clustering among female sex workers in the country, is a critical gap in information we aimed to fill through this analysis. Methods The study was a cross-sectional, bio-behavioral survey conducted among female sex workers in six cities and ten major towns in Ethiopia. Participants were selected using a respondent-driven sampling method. Survey participants provided blood samples for syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis serological testing. Survey data were collected via an interviewer-administered questionnaire. In this analysis, we employed descriptive statistics to summarize data on the study variables. In addition, we used multilevel bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models to examine the association between independent variables and the dependent variable (syphilis prevalence) while accounting for the clustering effect. Result A total of 6085 female sex workers participated in the survey. Their median age [Interquartile Range (IQR) was 25 (8)] years, and a majority (96.1%) were in the 20–24-year-old age group. The prevalence of syphilis among female sex workers in Ethiopia’s six cities and ten major towns was 6.2%. Being in the age group of 30–34 (AOR = 2.64; 95% CI = 1.40, 4.98) and 35–59 (AOR = 4.7; 95% CI = 2.5, 8.86), being divorced/widowed (AOR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.03, 1.82), having no formal education (AOR = 3.38; 95% CI = 2.34, 5.11), primary 1st cycle (grades 1–4) education (AOR = 2.77; 95% CI = 1.79, 4.30), and having primary 2nd cycle (grades 5–8) education (AOR = 1.80; 95% CI = 1.21, 2.69) were significantly associated with syphilis among female sex workers. Conclusion The prevalence of syphilis among female sex workers was high. Being divorced/widowed or in the older age group and having a low level of education were significantly associated with an increased risk of syphilis. The high prevalence and associated factors identified need to be considered in planning comprehensive interventions to control syphilis among female sex workers in Ethiopia.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of syphilis and associated factors among female sex workers in Ethiopia: findings from a multilevel analysis of a national bio-behavioral survey

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The national antenatal care-based syphilis surveillance report from 2007 to 2014 showed a similar declining trend [ 39 ]. On the contrary, there is no national data on PWH to compare the prevalence trends of syphilis [ 5 ]. The findings are consistent with an estimated syphilis seroprevalence in low-income countries, ranging from 3.5 to 4.6% [ 2 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In 2014, the Ethiopian national prevalence was 1.2% for syphilis and 2% for HIV infection, and syphilis was two times more common in HIV-positive individuals [4]. Unfortunately, there is no national data to show the prevalence trend of syphilis in people with HIV (PWH) [5], which is a critical gap given the complex interactions which exist between syphilis and HIV coinfection [5][6][7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigating latent syphilis in HIV treatment-experienced Ethiopians and response to therapy

Girma

Amogne

2022

PLoS ONE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objectives We investigated people with HIV (PWH) receiving combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) for latent syphilis infection prevalence, risk factors, treatment response, and neurosyphilis. Methods A prospective follow-up study was conducted on PWH and latent syphilis. The cases were randomly assigned to receive either benzathine penicillin G (BPG) or doxycycline (DOXY), and the posttreatment response was evaluated after 12 and 24 months. The traditional algorithm was used for serodiagnosis, and a semi-quantitative rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test monitored disease activity and treatment effectiveness. Results Of the 823 participants, 64.8% were women, and the mean age was 41.7±10 years. Thirty-one (3.8%) of the participants (22 males and nine females) had latent syphilis. The risk factors were male sex (aOR = 3.14), increasing age (aOR = 1.04 per year), and cART duration (aOR = 1.01 per month). Baseline RPR titers were: ≤1:4 in 19 (61.3%), between 1:8 and 1:32 in 10 (32.2%), and >1:32 in 2 (6.4%). None of the seven cerebrospinal fluid analyses supported a neurosyphilis diagnosis. In the 12th month of treatment, 27 (87.1%) had adequate serological responses, three (9.7%) had serological nonresponse, and one (3.2%) had treatment failure. Syphilis treatment was repeated in the last four cases with the alternative drug. In terms of adequate serologic response, both therapies were comparable at the 12th month, p = 0.37. All cases responded to treatment in the 24th month. Conclusion In PWH receiving cART, latent syphilis occurred more in men than women, suggesting an investigation of sexual practices and the impact of antenatal syphilis screening. Syphilis disease activity reduces in the latent stage. Therefore, the routine cerebrospinal fluid analysis contributes little to the diagnosis of asymptomatic neurosyphilis and the treatment success of latent syphilis. DOXY is an alternative to BPG, and cART improves serologic response to latent syphilis treatment.

show abstract

“…There still is a scarcity of data form well-planned epidemiological studies on the prevalence and risks associated with the disease in the general population as well as high risk groups like FSWs in Ethiopia (19). The Ethiopian population based impact assessment (EPHIA) conducted in urban Ethiopia during 2017-2018 revealed syphilis prevalence among HIV-positive patients of 13.4% (17.4% in men and 11.5% in women) (5).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of Syphilis and determinants among Female Sex Workers in Ethiopia: A Multilevel Analysis of the National Bio-behavioral Survey Data Using Respondent Driven Sampling

Tura

Ayalew

Moreda

et al. 2022

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Syphilis is a highly contagious Sexually Transmitted Infection posing a significant public health challenge, especially in developing countries including those in sub-Saharan Africa. Female sex workers are exposed to sexually transmitted infections, including syphilis, because of their sexual behavior and limited access to health services. There is scarce data on national syphilis prevalence estimate and the associated factors in Ethiopia. This along with our limited knowledge extent of clustering among female sex workers across towns in the country, a critical gap in information we aimed to fill through this analysis. Methods: The study was a community based cross-sectional, bio-behavioral survey conducted among FSWs in 16 cities and major towns in Ethiopia by using a Respondent Driven Sampling method. Survey data were collected through an interviewer administered questionnaire and blood samples were collected for syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis serological testing from 6085 participants. In this analysis, we employed descriptive statistics to summarize data on the study variables. We used multilevel bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models to examine the association between independent variables and the outcome (syphilis prevalence), while also accounting for the clustering effect. Result: Of the 6085 female sex workers included in the study, a majority (96.1%) were in the 20-24 years age group. The overall prevalence of syphilis among female sex workers in the 16 cities and major towns of Ethiopia was 6.2%. Being in the age group of 30-34 (AOR=2.64; 95% CI=1.40, 4.98), and 35-59 (AOR=4.7; 95% CI=2.5, 8.86), being divorced/widowed (AOR=1.37; 95% CI=1.03, 1.82), having no formal education (AOR=3.38; 95% CI=2.34, 5.11), primary 1st cycle (grades 1-4) education (AOR=2.77; 95% CI=1.79, 4.30), and having primary 2nd cycle (grades 5-8) education (AOR=1.80; 95% CI=1.21, 2.69) were significantly associated with syphilis infection among female sex workers. Conclusion: The prevalence of syphilis was high among female sex workers in Ethiopia. Being divorced/widowed or in the older age group, and having low level of education were significantly associated with increased risk of syphilis. The high prevalence and the determinant identified in the study need to be considered in the planning of comprehensive interventions to control syphilis infection among female sex workers in Ethiopia.

show abstract

The epidemiology of syphilis in Ethiopia: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis covering the last three decades

Cited by 10 publications

References 34 publications

Prevalence of syphilis and associated factors among female sex workers in Ethiopia: findings from a multilevel analysis of a national bio-behavioral survey

Prevalence of syphilis and associated factors among female sex workers in Ethiopia: findings from a multilevel analysis of a national bio-behavioral survey

Investigating latent syphilis in HIV treatment-experienced Ethiopians and response to therapy

Prevalence of Syphilis and determinants among Female Sex Workers in Ethiopia: A Multilevel Analysis of the National Bio-behavioral Survey Data Using Respondent Driven Sampling

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About