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Martin K, Olaru ID, Buwu N, Bandason T, Marks M, Dauya E, Muzangwa J, Mabey D, Dziva Chikwari C, Francis SC, Tembo M, Mavodza C, Simms V, Mackworth-Young CRS, Machiha A, Kranzer K, Ferrand RA. Uptake of and factors associated with testing for sexually transmitted infections in community-based settings among youth in Zimbabwe: a mixed-methods study. Lancet Child Adolesc Health 2021; 5:122-132. [PMID: 33417838 PMCID: PMC7818532 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-4642(20)30335-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among youth is high in sub-Saharan Africa. We investigated the uptake of testing for and prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (chlamydia) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonorrhoea) infections among youth in community-based settings in Zimbabwe, and explored the facilitators and barriers to testing. METHODS This study was nested within a cluster randomised trial of community-based delivery of integrated HIV and sexual and reproductive health services for youth aged 16-24 years. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea testing via urine samples using the Xpert CT/NG test was offered in the four intervention clusters in Harare, Zimbabwe. Factors associated with testing uptake were investigated in a subset of participants (n=257) using hierarchical multivariate logistic regression. In-depth interviews with a separate purposively selected sample (n=26) explored facilitators and barriers to STI testing and partner notification and were analysed using thematic analysis. FINDINGS Between June 1, 2019, and Jan 31, 2020, there were 6200 attendances by 4440 participants (78·2% women, 21·8% men) median age 20·3 (IQR 17·9-22·8) years. 1478 participants had 1501 tests done, and 248 tests were positive and 1253 tests were negative for chlamydia or gonorrhoea, or both. STI test uptake was 33·3% (95% CI 31·9-34·7), increasing from 11·7% in June, 2019, to 37·1% in January, 2020. The prevalence of chlamydia or gonorrhoea, or both, was 16·5% (95% CI 14·7-18·5; 248 of 1501), with only seven participants (3%) showing symptoms. The overall yield of testing was 4·0% (95% CI 3·5-4·5; 248 of 6200). Uptake was associated with having symptoms (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 14·8, 95% CI 1·66-132·07) and negatively associated with being single (adjusted OR 0·33, 95% CI 0·13-0·84) or having a boyfriend or girlfriend (adjusted OR 0·19, 95% CI 0·087-0·43) compared with being married, and being a student compared with being employed (adjusted OR 0·26, 95% CI 0·10-0·68). Perceived risk and symptoms of STIs were motivators for testing whereas misinformation, anticipated stigma, and concern about confidentiality were barriers. INTERPRETATION The prevalence of chlamydia or gonorrhoea, or both, was high among youth but only a minority were symptomatic. Therefore most infections would remain untreated without access to STI testing. Provision of education, counselling, and confidentiality are essential to improve uptake and acceptability of STI testing. FUNDING Wellcome Trust.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Martin
- Department of Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK; Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Ioana D Olaru
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Nyasha Buwu
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Tsitsi Bandason
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Michael Marks
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ethel Dauya
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Joice Muzangwa
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - David Mabey
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Chido Dziva Chikwari
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Suzanna C Francis
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Mandikudza Tembo
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Constancia Mavodza
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Department of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Victoria Simms
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Anna Machiha
- AIDS and TB Unit, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Zimbabwe
| | - Katharina Kranzer
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe; Division of Infectious and Tropical Medicine, Medical Centre of the University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rashida A Ferrand
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
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