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Retrospective Investigation of Prevalence and Trends of STDs in Public Health Facilities in the Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia from July 2019-June 2020

Received: 5 September 2024     Accepted: 6 October 2024     Published: 28 November 2024
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Abstract

There is a significant and rising occurrence of major treatable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in sub Saharan Africa, particularly in Ethiopia. The engagement of teenagers in sexual activities without parental oversight continues to pose a public health threat. This study seeks to evaluate the prevalence and trends of significant treatable STIs within our region. Methods: 3,500 patients with STI symptoms who were seen in all medical facilities between July 2019 and June 2020 were included in a retrospective cross-sectional study with descriptive statistics analysis to compare prevalence and trend measures by age group, sex, and month. Tables and bar graphs were used to present the results. Result: The data indicated a higher prevalence of STIs among males compared to females. The sexually active adult population exhibited a notable incidence of sexually transmitted diseases, with 52.7% of cases being male and 47.3% female. The specific STIs identified included genital candidiasis at 18.3%, hepatitis B at 16.9%, gonorrhea at 16.3%, hepatitis C at 13.6%, syphilis at 11.8%, genital herpes at 8.8%, genital warts at 7.5%, and Chlamydia at 6.8%. The incidence of syphilis showed an increase from 2.2% to 4.2% in 2020, while the trends for other STIs were more variable. Conclusion: Sexually transmitted diseases predominantly impact adults, with prevalence rates differing by gender and age group, and exhibiting a non-linear trend across most age categories. These findings offer essential insights into the epidemiological landscape of the country, suggesting the need for future prevention strategies that target adults at the highest risk for sexually transmitted infections.

Published in International Journal of Infectious Diseases and Therapy (Volume 9, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijidt.20240904.12
Page(s) 63-70
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Sexually Transmitted Disease, Prevalence, Trend, Public Health Facility

References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Gebremedhin, M. T., Teka, A. G., Gebrehiwot, G. T., Zelalem, M. T., Kahsay, G. A. (2024). Retrospective Investigation of Prevalence and Trends of STDs in Public Health Facilities in the Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia from July 2019-June 2020. International Journal of Infectious Diseases and Therapy, 9(4), 63-70. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijidt.20240904.12

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    ACS Style

    Gebremedhin, M. T.; Teka, A. G.; Gebrehiwot, G. T.; Zelalem, M. T.; Kahsay, G. A. Retrospective Investigation of Prevalence and Trends of STDs in Public Health Facilities in the Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia from July 2019-June 2020. Int. J. Infect. Dis. Ther. 2024, 9(4), 63-70. doi: 10.11648/j.ijidt.20240904.12

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    AMA Style

    Gebremedhin MT, Teka AG, Gebrehiwot GT, Zelalem MT, Kahsay GA. Retrospective Investigation of Prevalence and Trends of STDs in Public Health Facilities in the Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia from July 2019-June 2020. Int J Infect Dis Ther. 2024;9(4):63-70. doi: 10.11648/j.ijidt.20240904.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijidt.20240904.12,
      author = {Mulugeta Tilahun Gebremedhin and Ataklti Gessesse Teka and Gebrecherkos Teame Gebrehiwot and Mesfin Tesfay Zelalem and Girmay Alemseged Kahsay},
      title = {Retrospective Investigation of Prevalence and Trends of STDs in Public Health Facilities in the Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia from July 2019-June 2020
    },
      journal = {International Journal of Infectious Diseases and Therapy},
      volume = {9},
      number = {4},
      pages = {63-70},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijidt.20240904.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijidt.20240904.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijidt.20240904.12},
      abstract = {There is a significant and rising occurrence of major treatable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in sub Saharan Africa, particularly in Ethiopia. The engagement of teenagers in sexual activities without parental oversight continues to pose a public health threat. This study seeks to evaluate the prevalence and trends of significant treatable STIs within our region. Methods: 3,500 patients with STI symptoms who were seen in all medical facilities between July 2019 and June 2020 were included in a retrospective cross-sectional study with descriptive statistics analysis to compare prevalence and trend measures by age group, sex, and month. Tables and bar graphs were used to present the results. Result: The data indicated a higher prevalence of STIs among males compared to females. The sexually active adult population exhibited a notable incidence of sexually transmitted diseases, with 52.7% of cases being male and 47.3% female. The specific STIs identified included genital candidiasis at 18.3%, hepatitis B at 16.9%, gonorrhea at 16.3%, hepatitis C at 13.6%, syphilis at 11.8%, genital herpes at 8.8%, genital warts at 7.5%, and Chlamydia at 6.8%. The incidence of syphilis showed an increase from 2.2% to 4.2% in 2020, while the trends for other STIs were more variable. Conclusion: Sexually transmitted diseases predominantly impact adults, with prevalence rates differing by gender and age group, and exhibiting a non-linear trend across most age categories. These findings offer essential insights into the epidemiological landscape of the country, suggesting the need for future prevention strategies that target adults at the highest risk for sexually transmitted infections.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Retrospective Investigation of Prevalence and Trends of STDs in Public Health Facilities in the Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia from July 2019-June 2020
    
    AU  - Mulugeta Tilahun Gebremedhin
    AU  - Ataklti Gessesse Teka
    AU  - Gebrecherkos Teame Gebrehiwot
    AU  - Mesfin Tesfay Zelalem
    AU  - Girmay Alemseged Kahsay
    Y1  - 2024/11/28
    PY  - 2024
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    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijidt.20240904.12
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    JF  - International Journal of Infectious Diseases and Therapy
    JO  - International Journal of Infectious Diseases and Therapy
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    EP  - 70
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2578-966X
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijidt.20240904.12
    AB  - There is a significant and rising occurrence of major treatable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in sub Saharan Africa, particularly in Ethiopia. The engagement of teenagers in sexual activities without parental oversight continues to pose a public health threat. This study seeks to evaluate the prevalence and trends of significant treatable STIs within our region. Methods: 3,500 patients with STI symptoms who were seen in all medical facilities between July 2019 and June 2020 were included in a retrospective cross-sectional study with descriptive statistics analysis to compare prevalence and trend measures by age group, sex, and month. Tables and bar graphs were used to present the results. Result: The data indicated a higher prevalence of STIs among males compared to females. The sexually active adult population exhibited a notable incidence of sexually transmitted diseases, with 52.7% of cases being male and 47.3% female. The specific STIs identified included genital candidiasis at 18.3%, hepatitis B at 16.9%, gonorrhea at 16.3%, hepatitis C at 13.6%, syphilis at 11.8%, genital herpes at 8.8%, genital warts at 7.5%, and Chlamydia at 6.8%. The incidence of syphilis showed an increase from 2.2% to 4.2% in 2020, while the trends for other STIs were more variable. Conclusion: Sexually transmitted diseases predominantly impact adults, with prevalence rates differing by gender and age group, and exhibiting a non-linear trend across most age categories. These findings offer essential insights into the epidemiological landscape of the country, suggesting the need for future prevention strategies that target adults at the highest risk for sexually transmitted infections.
    
    VL  - 9
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