The Association between Use of Online Social Networks to Find Sex Partners and Sexually Transmitted Infection Diagnosis among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Women Living with HIV

[Epidemiological situation of post-pandemic sexually transmitted infections in Catalonia, Spain]

BACKGROUND

The growing trend of STIs in recent years was altered after the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES

Describe the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on STI declarations received during the pre-pandemic to pandemic period and estimate the number of STI cases expected for the pandemic period.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Descriptive analysis of STI declarations received during the pre-pandemic (2018-2019) and pandemic (2020-2021) periods. The influence of the number of positive cases of SARS-CoV-2 with the number of positive cases of STIs during the months of the pandemic was studied using a correlation model. Using the Holt-Wilson time series model, an estimate was made of the number of STI cases expected for the pandemic period.

RESULTS

The global incidence rate for all STIs in 2020 decreased by 18.3% compared to 2019. Chlamydia and syphilis presented a greater reduction in their incidence from 2019 to 2020 of 22.7% and 20.9%, respectively and 9.5% and 2.5% for gonorrhea and LGV. Estimates showed that in 2020 there would have been 44.6% more STIs than those declared. The proportions according to sex, country of birth and sexual orientation changed significantly in chlamydia and gonorrhea.

CONCLUSIONS

The measures adopted for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infections were able to achieve an initial decrease in STI cases in 2020, however, this change was not maintained during 2021, which ended with higher incidences recorded to date.

STI epidemic re-emergence, socio-epidemiological clusters characterisation and HIV coinfection in Catalonia, Spain, during 2017-2019: a retrospective population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To describe the epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), identify and characterise socio-epidemiological clusters and determine factors associated with HIV coinfection.

DESIGN

Retrospective population-based cohort.

SETTING

Catalonia, Spain.

PARTICIPANTS

42 283 confirmed syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia and lymphogranuloma venereum cases, among 34 600 individuals, reported to the Catalan HIV/STI Registry in 2017-2019.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES

Descriptive analysis of confirmed STI cases and incidence rates. Factors associated with HIV coinfection were determined using logistic regression. We identified and characterized socio-epidemiological STI clusters by Basic Health Area (BHA) using K-means clustering.

RESULTS

The incidence rate of STIs increased by 91.3% from 128.2 to 248.9 cases per 100 000 population between 2017 and 2019 (p<0.001), primarily driven by increase among women (132%) and individuals below 30 years old (125%). During 2017-2019, 50.1% of STIs were chlamydia and 31.6% gonorrhoea. Reinfections accounted for 10.8% of all cases and 6% of cases affected HIV-positive individuals. Factors associated with the greatest likelihood of HIV coinfection were male sex (adjusted OR (aOR) 23.69; 95% CI 16.67 to 35.13), age 30-39 years (versus <20 years, aOR 18.58; 95% CI 8.56 to 52.13), having 5-7 STI episodes (vs 1 episode, aOR 5.96; 95% CI 4.26 to 8.24) and living in urban areas (aOR 1.32; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.69). Living in the most deprived BHAs (aOR 0.60; 95% CI 0.50 to 0.72) was associated with the least likelihood of HIV coinfection. K-means clustering identified three distinct clusters, showing that young women in rural and more deprived areas were more affected by chlamydia, while men who have sex with men in urban and less deprived areas showed higher rates of STI incidence, multiple STI episodes and HIV coinfection.

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend socio-epidemiological identification and characterisation of STI clusters and factors associated with HIV coinfection to identify at-risk populations at a small health area level to design effective interventions.

The experiences of women from <em>Atoin Meto</em> tribe who performed <em>Sifon</em> ritual in the context of HIV/AIDS transmission

Background

Sifon is a sexual intercourse ritual after male circumcision from the Atoin Meto tribe that contributed to HIV/AIDS transmission. Ritual Sifon may put at risk for HIV infection and also the sexual transmisson diseases. Doing ritual Sifon as a culture, without using protection during intercourse becomes one way to get HIV infection from infected men. Few study explore this phenomenon among women who becomes Sifon women. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the experience of Sifon women in the context of HIV/AIDS transmission.

Design and Methods

The data was collected from March 2020 to July 2020. This study used a phenomenological approach with a purposive sampling technique. Inclusion criteria: the women from Atoin Meto tribe aged above eighteen years old who have been Sifon women for at least six months. The participants were recruited through traditional healers in Nekbaun village of Kupang District and Timor Tengah Selatan District. The data was analysed by Collaizi method.

Results

Thirteen women were interviewed and we found four themes: lack of knowledge about HIV/AIDS transmission, unaware became Sifon women, women experienced of STDs, using traditional medicine to treat STDs (Timor medicine).

Conclusions

The interpretation of Sifonwomen's experiences that performed Sifon rituals indicated that Sifon is a risk factor for transmitting HIV/AIDS. Preventive and promotional educational programs with cultural approach are needed to reduce the risk of HIV/AIDS transmission.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and its changing scenario: A scoping review

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and reproductive tract infections (RTIs) have existed worldwide since ancient time, causing significant morbidity and mortality. To maintain healthy sexual and reproductive life, it is highly essential to prevent STIs, RTIs and related illnesses. STIs are transmitted by swapping body fluids among people during sexual intercourse. The etiological agents for STIs are bacteria, virus and parasites for most cases, but proportions by different aetiology are changing. Various studies have shown that STIs are increasing, and its primary aetiology is changing worldwide. That should be considered seriously and needs necessary actions. Several factors related to hosts and disease-causing agents have identified to influence STIs' current strategies in the prevention and control program. The present assessment attempts to review the history, changing aetiology and antimicrobial resistance in STIs. This review has also highlighted the prevalence of STIs at the global level and their past and present trends in India, emphasising its future challenges and perspectives for making effective public health policies to prevent and control STIs.