Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (HIV, hepatitis B virus, herpes simplex virus type 2, and syphilis) in pregnant women in Ethiopia: Trends over 10 years (2005–2014). (February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kassa, Desta; Gebremichael, Gebremedhin; Tilahun, Tesfaye; Ayalkebet, Abenezer; Abrha, Yemane; Mesfin, Getnet; Belay, Yohannes; Demissie, Minilik; Gebrexiabher, Atsbeha; Assefa, Yibeltal
• Is Part Of: International journal of infectious diseases. Volume 79(2019)
• Page Start: 50
• Page End: 57
• Publication Date: 2019-02
• Subjects: HIV -- HBV -- HSV-2 -- Syphilis -- Pregnant women; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2018.11.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1201-9712

Abstract

Highlights: There was a decline by >40% in the prevalence of HIV, HBV, Syphilis and HSV-2 over the past 9–10 years in pregnant women in Ethiopia. The higher level in the prevalence of the major STIs by 2014, suggest the need to strengthen targeted intervention of STIs in pregnant women. Age category, study sites/residence and time/years were associated with positive HSV-2 test result. Future investigation is need to identify factors associated with the epidemiology, synergetic interaction of the STIs. Future investigation is need also to investigate clinical implication of combined infections (HIV, HBV, HSV-2 and Syphilis). Abstract: Objectives: This study was performed to determine the trends in seroprevalence of four major sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), and syphilis) over a 10-year period (2005–2014) in pregnant women in Ethiopia. Methods: Pregnant women (15–49 years old) who were enrolled in the antenatal care-based national HIV surveillance were included. Serological tests for HIV, HBV, HSV-2, and syphilis were done on serum/plasma samples. Results: A total of 4887 pregnant women were included. Results showed a decline in prevalence of these STIs by 40–60% over the 10 years (2005–2014): HIV (10.5% to 5.5%), syphilis (2.5% to 1.1%), HBV (12.6% to 6.7%), and HSV-2 (47.5% to 28.5%). In 2014, 109/4887 (2.2%) women had triple infections. In 2005, 2007, and 2009, the prevalence of HSV-2 in the older age group (35–45 years) (47.1%, 47.4%, and 50.0%, respectively) was higher than that in the younger age group (15–24 years) (40.9%, 19.5%, and 20.2%, respectively). Age category (Chi-square = 22.4, p < 0.001), study sites/residence (Chi-square = 135.2, p = 0.001), and time/years (Chi-square = 58.9, p = 0.001) were associated with a positive HSV-2 test result. Conclusions: A decline in HIV, HBV, HSV-2, and syphilis of >40% was seen over the years in Ethiopia. However, an intermediate endemicity level of HBV and higher prevalence of HIV and HSV-2 by 2014, suggest the need to strengthen prevention strategy for STIs.