Project Details
Layman's description
Over 1 million sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are acquired every day globally. In low and middle income countries (LMICs), with marked social inequality, the vulnerability to STIs is higher. A precise estimate of the burden of HIV and other STIs in young people is essential to improve control of STIs, especially in Mozambique, where HIV infection persists (12,5% prevalence). Adolescents and young adults constitute one of the population groups considered to be more vulnerable to STIs, probably due to age-related sexual behaviour.The burden of STIs in community level is not well known in the Mozambican context for adolescents and young adults. To address these knowledge gaps I will estimate the prevalence of different STIs, including HIV in a peri urban neighborhood in Maputo City, Mozambique. Additionally, I will identify risk factors for different STIs, including the structure of local sexual networks.
PrEP has revolutionized HIV prevention, but PrEP does not protect against other STIs. The association between PrEP use and ascendence of STIs is not very well known in low and middle income countries, especially in Mozambique. So, I will evaluate the PrEP use among those recently diagnosed with any STI and estimate the incidence of STIs with PrEP as the exposure.
Studies from other settings showed that most of the STIs we are evaluating are asymptomatic. I will also study the association between symptoms suggestive of an STI and laboratory diagnosis of an STI. A significant proportion of N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis infections resolve without treatment. These proportion are relevant to construct accurate models of STI transmission and designing control strategies. Thus, in patients asymptomatic at baseline, but with a laboratory diagnosis showing the presence of STI, I will study whether symptoms emerged when the client returns for their test result/treatment (typically 7-28 days later), and whether the STI is still present at the follow-up sample.
The study will be a prospective community-based study conducted in the HDSS Polana Caniço located in Polana Caniço neighborhood, a peri urban area of Maputo City. All participants aged 15-35 (n ≈ 1016) years old living in the HDSS and previously included in the HIV surveillance will be recruited to participate in the study. Quantitative data will be collected with regards to risk factors for STIs transmission, PrEP use, report of sign and symptom of STIs and previous testing and treatment of STIs. Blood (serology for HIV, syphilis, Herpes Simplex Virus 2) and urine (N. gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis) samples will be collected to test for the prevalence and Incidence of STIs.
PrEP has revolutionized HIV prevention, but PrEP does not protect against other STIs. The association between PrEP use and ascendence of STIs is not very well known in low and middle income countries, especially in Mozambique. So, I will evaluate the PrEP use among those recently diagnosed with any STI and estimate the incidence of STIs with PrEP as the exposure.
Studies from other settings showed that most of the STIs we are evaluating are asymptomatic. I will also study the association between symptoms suggestive of an STI and laboratory diagnosis of an STI. A significant proportion of N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis infections resolve without treatment. These proportion are relevant to construct accurate models of STI transmission and designing control strategies. Thus, in patients asymptomatic at baseline, but with a laboratory diagnosis showing the presence of STI, I will study whether symptoms emerged when the client returns for their test result/treatment (typically 7-28 days later), and whether the STI is still present at the follow-up sample.
The study will be a prospective community-based study conducted in the HDSS Polana Caniço located in Polana Caniço neighborhood, a peri urban area of Maputo City. All participants aged 15-35 (n ≈ 1016) years old living in the HDSS and previously included in the HIV surveillance will be recruited to participate in the study. Quantitative data will be collected with regards to risk factors for STIs transmission, PrEP use, report of sign and symptom of STIs and previous testing and treatment of STIs. Blood (serology for HIV, syphilis, Herpes Simplex Virus 2) and urine (N. gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis) samples will be collected to test for the prevalence and Incidence of STIs.
| Status | Active |
|---|---|
| Effective start/end date | 1/07/24 → … |