1
|
Stevenson M, Guillén J, Ortíz J, Ramírez Correa JF, Page KR, Barriga Talero MÁ, López JJ, Fernández-Niño JA, Núñez RL, Spiegel P, Wirtz AL. Syphilis prevalence and correlates of infection among Venezuelan refugees and migrants in Colombia: findings of a cross-sectional biobehavioral survey. LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. AMERICAS 2024; 30:100669. [PMID: 38298201 PMCID: PMC10827575 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2023.100669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Background Population-based estimates of syphilis prevalence are critical to informing public health response. We aimed to measure syphilis prevalence among Venezuelan refugees and migrants in Colombia to inform public health programming. Methods Between July 2021 and February 2022, we surveyed 6221 adult Venezuelan refugees and migrants in four cities in Colombia using respondent-driven sampling (RDS). Participants completed a survey and dual-rapid HIV/treponemal syphilis screening. Confirmatory laboratory-based rapid plasma reagin testing was conducted on whole blood samples. Active syphilis infection was defined as RPR titer ≥ 1:8 and no self-reported syphilis treatment. We used multivariable regression models to identify associations with active syphilis infection among subgroups by gender and history of pregnancy (cisgender men n = 2123, cisgender women n = 4044, transgender/nonbinary people n = 47, pregnant women n = 150). Findings Population (RDS-weighted) prevalence of laboratory-confirmed syphilis was 5.1% (95% CI: 4.6-5.6). Syphilis prevalence was 5.8% (weighted) among men; lifetime sexually transmitted infections (STI) diagnosis, same-sex relationships, HIV infection, and partner number were independently associated with syphilis infection. Syphilis prevalence was 4.6% (weighted) in women; correlates of infection included: lifetime STI diagnosis, food insecurity, current engagement in sex work, current pregnancy, any unsafe night in Colombia, irregular migration status, and no healthcare utilization in Colombia. 14.9% (unweighted) of transgender participants had syphilis infection; correlates of infection included partner number and HIV infection. The prevalence of syphilis was 9.0% (weighted) among pregnant women, which was associated with lifetime STI diagnosis. Interpretation Syphilis among Venezuelans in Colombia is high. Correlates of infection are distinct among demographic groups, spanning sexual and social vulnerabilities, suggesting tailored public health strategies. Funding US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Megan Stevenson
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | - Kathleen R. Page
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International Health, Center for Humanitarian Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Infectious Disease, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Paul Spiegel
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International Health, Center for Humanitarian Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andrea L. Wirtz
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International Health, Center for Humanitarian Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Batura N, Saweri OP, Vallely A, Pomat W, Homer C, Guy R, Luchters S, Mola G, Vallely LM, Morgan C, Kariwiga G, Wand H, Rogerson S, Tabrizi SN, Whiley DM, Low N, Peeling RW, Siba PM, Riddell M, Laman M, Bolnga J, Robinson LJ, Morewaya J, Badman S, Kelly-Hanku A, Toliman PJ, Peter W, Peach E, Garland S, Kaldor J, Wiseman V. Point-of-care testing and treatment of sexually transmitted and genital infections during pregnancy in Papua New Guinea (WANTAIM trial): protocol for an economic evaluation alongside a cluster-randomised trial. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e046308. [PMID: 34385236 PMCID: PMC8362726 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Left untreated, sexually transmitted and genital infections (henceforth STIs) in pregnancy can lead to serious adverse outcomes for mother and child. Papua New Guinea (PNG) has among the highest prevalence of curable STIs including syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis, and high neonatal mortality rates. Diagnosis and treatment of these STIs in PNG rely on syndromic management. Advances in STI diagnostics through point-of-care (PoC) testing using GeneXpert technology hold promise for resource-constrained countries such as PNG. This paper describes the planned economic evaluation of a cluster-randomised cross-over trial comparing antenatal PoC testing and immediate treatment of curable STIs with standard antenatal care in two provinces in PNG. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Cost-effectiveness of the PoC intervention compared with standard antenatal care will be assessed prospectively over the trial period (2017-2021) from societal and provider perspectives. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios will be calculated for the primary health outcome, a composite measure of the proportion of either preterm birth and/or low birth weight; for life years saved; for disability-adjusted life years averted; and for non-health benefits (financial risk protection and improved health equity). Scenario analyses will be conducted to identify scale-up options, and budget impact analysis will be undertaken to understand short-term financial impacts of intervention adoption on the national budget. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analysis will be conducted to account for uncertainty in key model inputs. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study has ethical approval from the Institutional Review Board of the PNG Institute of Medical Research; the Medical Research Advisory Committee of the PNG National Department of Health; the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of New South Wales; and the Research Ethics Committee of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Findings will be disseminated through national stakeholder meetings, conferences, peer-reviewed publications and policy briefs. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN37134032.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neha Batura
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Olga Pm Saweri
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- The Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
| | - Andrew Vallely
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- The Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
| | - William Pomat
- The Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
| | - Caroline Homer
- The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rebecca Guy
- The Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
| | - Stanley Luchters
- The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Population Health, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Monash, Victoria, Australia
| | - Glen Mola
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
| | - Lisa M Vallely
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- The Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
| | | | - Grace Kariwiga
- Milne Bay Provincial Health Authority, Alotau, Papua New Guinea
| | - Handan Wand
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stephen Rogerson
- Department of Medicine, The Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - David M Whiley
- The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nicola Low
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Rosanna W Peeling
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Peter M Siba
- The Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
| | - Michaela Riddell
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | - Moses Laman
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | - John Bolnga
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | - Leanne J Robinson
- The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | - Jacob Morewaya
- Milne Bay Provincial Health Authority, Alotau, Papua New Guinea
| | - Steven Badman
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Angela Kelly-Hanku
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- The Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
| | - Pamela J Toliman
- The Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
| | - Wilfred Peter
- Madang Provincial Health Authority, Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | | | - Suzanne Garland
- Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Department, The Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - John Kaldor
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Virginia Wiseman
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Saweri OPM, Batura N, Al Adawiyah R, Causer LM, Pomat WS, Vallely AJ, Wiseman V. Economic evaluation of point-of-care testing and treatment for sexually transmitted and genital infections in pregnancy in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253135. [PMID: 34138932 PMCID: PMC8211269 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sexually transmitted and genital infections in pregnancy are associated with adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. Point-of-care tests for these infections facilitate testing and treatment in a single antenatal clinic visit and may reduce the risk of adverse outcomes. Successful implementation and scale-up depends on understanding comparative effectiveness of such programmes and their comparative costs and cost effectiveness. This systematic review synthesises and appraises evidence from economic evaluations of point-of-care testing and treatment for sexually transmitted and genital infections among pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries. METHODS Medline, Embase and Web of Science databases were comprehensively searched using pre-determined criteria. Additional literature was identified by searching Google Scholar and the bibliographies of all included studies. Economic evaluations were eligible if they were set in low- and middle-income countries and assessed antenatal point-of-care testing and treatment for syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis, and/or bacterial vaginosis. Studies were analysed using narrative synthesis. Methodological and reporting standards were assessed using two published checklists. RESULTS Sixteen economic evaluations were included in this review; ten based in Africa, three in Latin and South America and three were cross-continent comparisons. Fifteen studies assessed point-of-care testing and treatment for syphilis, while one evaluated chlamydia. Key drivers of cost and cost-effectiveness included disease prevalence; test, treatment, and staff costs; test sensitivity and specificity; and screening and treatment coverage. All studies met 75% or more of the criteria of the Drummond Checklist and 60% of the Consolidated Health Economics Evaluation Reporting Standards. CONCLUSIONS Generally, point-of-care testing and treatment was cost-effective compared to no screening, syndromic management, and laboratory-based testing. Future economic evaluations should consider other common infections, and their lifetime impact on mothers and babies. Complementary affordability and equity analyses would strengthen the case for greater investment in antenatal point-of-care testing and treatment for sexually transmitted and genital infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olga P. M. Saweri
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- The Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
- * E-mail:
| | - Neha Batura
- University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Louise M. Causer
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - William S. Pomat
- The Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
| | - Andrew J. Vallely
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- The Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
| | - Virginia Wiseman
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|