Factors associated with sexually transmitted infections: a population based survey in the city of São Paulo, Brazil

Exposure to Treponema pallidum Infection among Adolescent and Young Adult Women in Roraima, Amazon Region of Brazil

BACKGROUND

Syphilis is a chronic infectious disease, and its prevalence has been described since the 15th century. Because of the high prevalence of this infection in Brazil, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of syphilis and its associated factors among adolescent and young women living in the city of Boa Vista, Roraima, Brazil.

METHODS

The present study was cross-sectional, descriptive, analytical and quantitative. It involved 200 young and adolescent women. Laboratory tests were performed to diagnose syphilis, and a sociodemographic and epidemiological questionnaire was employed.

RESULTS

In the studied sample, 10 women had a positive result for syphilis, characterizing a prevalence of 5% for infection with Treponema pallidum. There was a statistically significant association between a monthly family income of less than 1 minimum wage and syphilis (p = 0.0449) and between illicit drug use and syphilis (p = 0.0234).

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate the need for public health interventions, action plans, and the implementation of risk reduction strategies focused on this population.

Pelvic inflammatory disease hospitalizations in Brazil: time trend from 2000 to 2019

Abstract Objectives: to evaluate the temporal trend of hospitalizations for pelvic infammatory disease in Brazil and its regions between 2000 and 2019. Methods: longitudinal ecological study with data from the Hospital Information System. The analysis of temporal trends in hospitalization rates by age group was performed using segmented linear regression (joinpoint regression). Both annual percent change total and by age groups were estimated for Brazil and each region. Results: Brazil had an average reduction of 5.2% per year in the period and the age groups most affected were 20 to 29 and 30 to 39 years. North region had the highest rates and South and Southeast regions, the lowest. Midwest region had the largest annual average reduction (8.1%), followed by the Northeast (5.7%), Southeast (5.0%), North (4.6%) and South (4.3 %). The only age group that showed a significant increase was that of 10 to 19 years in the Southeast in the period from 2008 to 2019 (0.9%) and in the Northeast in the period from 2014 to 2019 (3.3%). Conclusions: hospitalization due to pelvic infammatory disease has significantly decreased in Brazil. The increase observed for adolescents in the Southeast and Northeast in the most recent period points to problems in the prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections in this age group.

Epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections: trends among patients screened for sexually transmitted infections in rwandan health facilities 2014–2020

Background

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are of great global health concern. Currently, there are limited epidemiological data characterizing STIs in the general population in Rwanda. We assessed the national and regional epidemiology of STIs in Rwanda from 2014–2020 among patients syndromically screened for STIs in all health facilities in Rwanda.

Methods

This is a retrospective analysis of the trend of STIs epidemiology among screened patients at all health facilities in Rwanda using data from the Health Management Information System (HMIS) reporting. Adult patients (15 years and over) screened for STIs between July 2014 and June 2020 were included in the analysis. Outcomes of interest were the number of individuals screened for STIs and individuals diagnosed with at least one STI with a syndromic approach only or plus a test together.

Results

Overall, the number of individuals screened for STIs over the study period was 5.3 million (M) in 2014–2015, 6.6 M in 2015–2016, 6.3 M in 2016–2017, 6.7 M in 2017–2018, 6.2 M in 2018–2019, and 4.9 M in 2019–2020. There was a modest increase in the number of individuals diagnosed and treated for STIs from 139,357 in 2014–15 to 202,294 (45% increase) in 2019–2020. At the national level, the prevalence of STI syndromes amongst individuals screened at health facilities in Rwanda varied between 2.37% to 4.16% during the study period. Among the provinces, Kigali city had the highest prevalence for the whole 6 years ranging from 3.46% (95%CI: 3.41, 3.51) in 2014–2015 to 8.23% (95%CI: 8.15, 8.31) in 2019–2020.

Conclusion

From 2014 to 2020, the number of patients screened for STI syndromes in Rwanda varied between 4.9 M and 6.7 M. However, the prevalence of STIs among screened patients increased considerably over time, which could be associated with public awareness and improved data recording. The highest prevalence of all STIs was observed in urban areas and near borders, and private clinics reported more cases, suggesting the need to improve awareness in these settings and increase confidentiality and trust in public health clinics.

Assessment of the appropriate management of syphilis patients in primary health care in different regions of Brazil from 2012 to 2018

This study aimed to analyze the presence of adequate infrastructure and work process in primary health care for the diagnosis, management, and treatment of syphilis in Brazil in 2012, 2014, and 2018. This is a cross-sectional, nationwide study with data from the three cycles of the Program for Improvement of Access and Quality of Basic Healthcare (PMAQ-AB): 2012 (Cycle I), 2014 (Cycle II), and 2018 (Cycle III). Two outcomes were assessed: adequate infrastructure and work process. The independent variables were macroregion, municipality size, Municipal Human Development Index (HDI-M), and coverage of the Family Health Strategy (FHS). Variance-weighted least squares regression was used to estimate annual changes in percentage. In total, 13,842 primary basic health units (UBS) and 17,202 professional health care teams were assessed in Cycle I; 24,055 UBS and 29,778 teams in Cycle II, and 28,939 UBS and 37,350 teams in Cycle III. About 1.4% of UBS had adequate infrastructure in Cycle I; 17.5% had in Cycle II; and 42.7% had in Cycle III. Adequate work process also increased in the three cycles, ranging from 47.3% in Cycle I to 45.5% in Cycle II and 75.4% in Cycle III. However, inequities are observed, considering that richer regions and larger municipalities, with higher HDI-M and lower FHS coverage improved the most. The low prevalence of adequate infrastructure and work process for the care of patients with syphilis in Brazil reflects a significant weakness in the Brazilian health system.

Diagnóstico e tratamento de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis realizados por enfermeiros na Atenção Primária à Saúde

Introdução: No final da década de 1990, iniciou-se as atividades de prevenção das infecções sexualmente transmissíveis para a atenção primária à saúde. Nas duas últimas décadas, vem ocorrendo uma ampliação da assistência de enfermeiros no tratamento dessas infecções. A Lei do Exercício Profissional da Enfermagem nº 7.498./86, garante aos enfermeiros na consulta de enfermagem o direito de realizar a prescrição de medicamentos aprovados por protocolos institucionais. Objetivo: Verificar se os enfermeiros que atuam na Atenção Primária à Saúde de Florianópolis se sentem aptos para a execução do diagnóstico e do tratamento medicamentoso das infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (IST) com base nos Protocolos de Enfermagem do município. Métodos: Pesquisa exploratório-descritiva de abordagem qualitativa realizada por meio de entrevista semiestruturada com perguntas disparadoras. Foram entrevistados dez enfermeiros assistenciais da Atenção Primária à Saúde do município. Os dados foram analisados segundo a técnica de Bardin.  Resultados: Identificaram-se duas categorias analíticas: “O enfermeiro e a (re)construção de sua prática profissional” e “O enfermeiro e a sua contribuição na qualidade de serviço na Atenção Primária à Saúde”.  Conclusões: Os enfermeiros da rede assistencial da Atenção Primária à Saúde de Florianópolis mostram-se altamente qualificados e sentem-se capazes de responder adequadamente às necessidades de sua prática profissional.

Analysis of the trend of mortality from HIV/AIDS according to sociodemographic characteristics in Brazil, 2000 to 2018

This investigation analyzed the trend of HIV/AIDS mortality by sociodemographic characteristics in the Brazilian states from 2000 to 2018. This is an ecological study of time-series of standardized rates of mortality from AIDS overall, by gender, age group, marital status, and ethnicity/skin color, employing the Prais-Winsten generalized linear model. The results showed that the states with the highest rates were Rio Grande do Sul, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Santa Catarina. The trend was increasing in the North and Northeast. Men had higher rates than women and the general population. The most advanced age groups showed a growing trend. The analysis by marital status showed higher and growing rates among the unmarried. Blacks had higher rates, except for Paraná, with a mainly increasing trend. Mortality due to HIV/AIDS had different trends by sociodemographic characteristics, with a need for preventive and care actions for men, adults, older adults, unmarried, and black people due to the change in the mortality profile.

Conhecimento, atitude e prática de universitários intercambistas africanos acerca das Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis

RESUMO Objetivo avaliar o conhecimento, a atitude e a prática de universitários intercambistas provenientes do continente africano acerca das Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis. Método estudo transversal, realizado de dezembro de 2019 a março de 2020, em universidade pública internacional brasileira localizada no Ceará. A amostra foi constituída por 150 estudantes africanos de diferentes cursos de graduação. Utilizou-se do inquérito de Conhecimento, Atitude e Prática. Resultados os universitários apresentaram conhecimento satisfatório acerca da forma de transmissão das Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis, porém, com deficiências a respeito das hepatites virais. Identificou-se associação entre sexo e atitude acerca do uso de preservativo em relação sexual com parceria fixa (p=0,042). No que se refere às práticas, houve associação entre sexo e uso do preservativo na primeira relação sexual (p=0,001), ter mais que um parceiro (p=0,001) e mais que dez parceiros em toda a vida (0,007). No que se relaciona às práticas sexuais nos últimos 12 meses, observou-se associação estatística entre ter relações sexuais com mais de um parceiro sexual e sexo do participante (p=0,001). Conclusão e implicações para a prática enfatiza-se a importância de a universidade pesquisada realizar atividades de educação em saúde que abordem Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis, bem como de extensão universitária, que envolvam alunos imigrantes africanos.

Relações de gênero e poder no contexto das vulnerabilidades de mulheres às infecções sexualmente transmissíveis

Objetivou-se investigar as relações de gênero e poder no contexto das vulnerabilidades de mulheres às infecções sexualmente transmissíveis. Trata-se de um estudo de natureza qualitativa, desenvolvido com oito mulheres em fase reprodutiva e com histórico de contaminação por infecção sexualmente transmissível. Os dados produzidos por entrevistas estruturadas foram submetidos à análise temática proposta por Bardin. As mulheres são retraídas em posição de submissão, refletindo a forte influência de gênero nas relações afetivas conjugais, situação que dificulta o diálogo e a negociação de uma relação sexual segura, além de contribuir para que a mulher não se reconheça como um sujeito de direitos sexuais e reprodutivos. Portanto, elas devem ser sensibilizadas por meio de intervenções que estimulem o empoderamento para a negociação do sexo seguro, o protagonismo e o reconhecimento de si como um sujeito de direitos sexuais e reprodutivos.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of African university exchange students about Sexually Transmitted Infections

ABSTRACT Objective to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice of university exchange students from the African continent about Sexually Transmitted Infections. Method a cross-sectional study, conducted from December 2019 to March 2020, in a public international Brazilian university located in Ceará. The sample consisted of 150 African students from different undergraduate courses. It was used the survey of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice. Results the students showed satisfactory knowledge about the form of transmission of Sexually Transmitted Infections, however, with deficiencies regarding viral hepatitis. An association between sex and attitude about condom use in sexual intercourse with a fixed partner was identified (p=0.042). Regarding the practices, there was an association between sex and condom use in the first sexual relation (p=0.001), having more than one partner (p=0.001) and more than ten partners in the whole life (0.007). Regarding sexual practices in the last 12 months, there was a statistical association between having sex with more than one sexual partner and the participant's sex (p=0.001). Conclusion and implications for practice the importance of the university researched carrying out health education activities that address Sexually Transmitted Infections, as well as university extension activities that involve African immigrant students, is emphasized.

[Clinical complications during pregnancy: a systematic review of studies with pregnant Brazilian women]

The scope of this paper was to describe the main clinical complications among pregnant Brazilian women reported in the literature, identifying the most relevant exposure factors and their outcomes in maternal and child health. This is a systematic review of articles published between 2010 and 2018. Three reviews and 36 empirical articles were included; mental disorders (n=9), infectious diseases (n=9) and severe maternal morbidity (n=8) were the main clinical complications during pregnancy. In addition, four articles focused on determining the main conditions or causes of hospitalization, with a higher frequency of Urinary Tract Infection, anemia and hypertensive diseases. Maternal age at reproductive extremes, lower schooling, socioeconomic vulnerability, racial characteristics and the use of public health services were the most relevant exposure factors. Unfavorable health outcomes associated with clinical complications in pregnancy were verified in the eight articles with this profile. The frequency of pregnant women with potential life-threatening clinical complications is high in the country, highlighting the importance of primary care coverage and the implementation of interventions to reduce and prevent adverse maternal and child outcomes.

Prevalence and Factors Associated With Syphilis in People Living With HIV/AIDS in the State of Pará, Northern Brazil

Syphilis continues to be a public health problem worldwide and its incidence has increased in people living with HIV/AIDS in recent years. This study determined the prevalence and factors associated with syphilis in people living with HIV/AIDS in the city of Belém, northern Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to November 2018. A total of 500 people living with HIV/AIDS attended at a specialized unit of the public health network of the State of Pará were studied. Questionnaires were used to collect socio-demographic data and potential risk factors for syphilis. Blood samples were collected from all subjects and screened for syphilis using VDRL, and the seropositive were confirmed using FTA-abs. Logistic regressions were used to identify the factors associated with syphilis. Most subjects were male (56.8%), had more than 40 years (54.0%), single (63.0%), had finished high school (54.2%), had monthly income ≤1 minimum wage (72.4%), and had been born to the city of Belém (59.8%). Prevalence of syphilis was 6.4%. Eight characteristics/behaviors associated with syphilis: male, young adults, single, studied at least high school, monthly income >1 minimum wage, homosexual/bisexual, does not use or sporadically use condoms during sexual intercourse, and have had more than one sexual partner in the last three months. The prevalence of syphilis in people living with HIV/AIDS in Belém is low when compared to other Brazilian states. However, there is a need for public policies and actions to monitor, control and prevent these two sexually transmitted infections.

Universal newborn hearing screening program and perinatal and congenital infections in neonates attended in South Brazil

OBJECTIVE

To verify the characteristics of neonates with perinatal/congenital infections (PCI) receiving care at a Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) program of a university hospital.

METHODS

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted with secondary data, obtained from records of neonates with diagnosis of and/or suspicion for PCI who received care between 2017 and 2019.

RESULTS

The information analyzed referred to 164 neonates who attended the service and were submitted to Newborn Hearing Screening (NHS). The most prevalent infection was syphilis (67.7%), followed by HIV (20.1%). An expressive number of neonates failed NHS (11.5%). An association was verified between the cases of syphilis and HIV and older mothers (p < 0.035).

CONCLUSION

An increase in the prevalence of PCI was observed, proving it to be an important indicator, whereas these infections can be prevented. In all the years analyzed, syphilis was the most recurrent RIHL. NHS is a means of early diagnosis and intervention that must necessarily be performed in the first months of the child's life.

Prevention of sexually transmitted infections in the sexual scripts of young people: differences according to gender

This study aims to address the vulnerability of young university students to sexually transmitted infections and to identify and analyze the sexual behavior of university students and practices to prevent sexually transmitted infections. A descriptive and qualitative research study conducted in a private university in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, with 30 university students of both genders, aged 18-29 years old. The discursive data were collected by the Focal Group technique and analyzed using the content analysis technique, with the aid of the Nvivo 9.0 software, and anchored in John Gagnon's theory of sexual scripts. The findings denote that university students recognize themselves as a population vulnerable to infections transmitted by unprotected sex. The group has insufficient knowledge about infections and does not use condoms continuously. In the discourses of the university students, it was noticed that the type of affective relationship is determinant for the use (or not) of condoms. Young people believe in the group's invulnerability and therefore assume risky sexual behaviors.

Percepção de mulheres quanto à sua vulnerabilidade às Infecções Sexualmente Transmissiveis

Resumo Objetivo Analisar a percepção de mulheres quanto à sua vulnerabilidade às infecções sexualmente transmissíveis. Método Trata-se de um estudo exploratório e descritivo com abordagem qualitativa, desenvolvido entre os meses de agosto de 2018 a outubro de 2019, em uma Unidade Básica de Saúde. Participaram do estudo oito mulheres, na faixa etária de-21 a 44 anos com histórico prévio de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis. Os dados coletados com entrevistas semiestruturadas foram submetidos à análise temática proposta por Bardin. Resultados Há baixa percepção e desconsideração das mulheres sobre sua condição de vulnerabilidade a essas infecções. Elas acreditam que a possibilidade de adquiri-las está relacionada a comportamentos considerados desviantes, sendo provável na vida de quem não vivencia um relacionamento estável. Conclusão e Implicações para a prática O principal desafio é superar situações vivenciadas pelas mulheres que potencializam as suas vulnerabilidades geradas por equívocos e erros de concepções. Precisa-se planejar ações de prevenção que não se limitam ao repasse de informações, mas a troca de saberes, crenças e valores vinculados à forma pelo qual a mulher vive sua sexualidade.

Syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections among waste pickers in Brasilia, Brazil

There are millions of waste pickers worldwide that are predominantly located in low- and middle-income countries. They survive on sorting and selling reusable orrecyclable materials discarded by society.While sorting, they are exposed to occupational risks and hazards, including cuts from sharp objects and medical wastes, that could be contaminated by infectious diseases. Because of these exposures, a study was conducted to determine the prevalence of syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections (STI's) among waste pickers. A cross-sectional study using a semi-structured questionnaire and blood samples for serological tests were collected. A total of 1,025 waste pickers were interviewed. Most participants were women (67.54%), without a partner (70.11%), were an average of 40 years old, and had between 3 and 4 children. There were 755 samples collected for syphilis, 791 for HIV, 866 for hepatitis B, and 859 for hepatitis C. Of these samples, 28 (3.70%) waste pickers had reagent serology for syphilis, 6 (0.75%) for HIV; 6 (0.69%) for acute hepatitis B and 1 (0.11%) for hepatitis C. Overall, this study identified the serological status of waste pickers; this information can be used to encourage waste pickers to seek health treatment for STIs and receive education to understand the risks associated with being exposed to medical waste or syringes.

Contraceptive discontinuation: frequency and associated factors among undergraduate women in Brazil

BACKGROUND

In Brazil, high contraceptive prevalence rates coexist with high rates of unintended pregnancies. Contraceptive discontinuation may explain this context, but few studies have focused on highly educated young women in countries with low unmet need for modern contraception. This paper explores frequency and associated factors of contraceptive discontinuation among undergraduate students in Brazil within 12-months.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study was conducted among a probability sample of 1679 undergraduates of São Paulo University. Data were collected online using a contraceptive calendar. We examined factors related to monthly discontinuation of oral pills and male condoms using Generalized Estimating Equation models.

RESULTS

Altogether, 19% of oral pill users and 48% of male condom users discontinued their method for method-related reasons within 12-months, and 18% of oral pill users and 15% of male condom users abandoned/or switched to less effective methods. Women in casual relationships were at increased odds of oral pill (OR = 1.4 [1.1-1.8]) and male condom discontinuation (OR = 1.3 [1.0-1.7]), and at increased odds of switching from oral pill to less effective or no method (OR = 1.4 [1.1-1.7]). Other associated factors were method specific. Women from lower socioeconomic status or who had multiple lifetime partners were more likely to discontinue or abandon the oral pill, while more sexually experienced women were less likely to discontinue the male condom.

CONCLUSION

Frequent method discontinuation in Brazil calls for greater attention to the difficulties women face when using short acting methods. Discontinuation was associated with type of partner and sexual experience highlighting the changing contraceptive needs of women at the early stages of their professional careers.