Appiah CK, Dowou RK, Balame SK, Adzigbli LA, Yeboah PA, Aboagye RG, Cadri A. Self-reported sexually transmitted infections among adolescent girls and young women in Mali: analysis of prevalence and predictors.
BMJ Open 2023;
13:e069226. [PMID:
37094889 PMCID:
PMC10151941 DOI:
10.1136/bmjopen-2022-069226]
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To examine the prevalence and predictors of self-reported sexually transmitted infections (SR-STIs) among adolescent girls and young women in Mali.
DESIGN
We performed a cross-sectional analysis of data from the Demographic and Health Survey of Mali, which was conducted in 2018. A weighted sample of 2105 adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 was included. Percentages were used to summarise the results of the prevalence of SR-STIs. We used a multilevel binary logistic regression analysis to examine the predictors of SR-STIs. The results were presented using an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.
SETTING
Mali.
PARTICIPANTS
Adolescent girls (15-19 years) and young women (20-24 years).
OUTCOME MEASURE
SR-STIs.
RESULTS
The prevalence of SR-STIs among the adolescent girls and young women was 14.1% (95% CI=12.3 to 16.2). Adolescent girls and young women who had ever tested for HIV, those with one parity, those with multiparity, those with two or more sexual partners, those residing in urban areas, and those exposed to mass media were more likely to self-report STIs. However, those residing in Sikasso and Kidal regions were less likely to report STIs.
CONCLUSION
Our study has shown that SR-STIs are prevalent among adolescent girls and young women in Mali. Health authorities in Mali and other stakeholders should formulate and implement policies and programmes that increase health education among adolescent girls and young women and encourage free and easy access to STI prevention and treatment services.
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