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May 15, 2024Keywords:
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Analysis of Sexually Transmitted Infections data in Chegutu district, Zimbabwe, 2015 to 2019: Secondary data analysis
Abstract
Introduction: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) cause significant morbidity and mortality in newborns and adults and speed up transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Chegutu District Health Information Software (DHIS2) data revealed that Chegutu District had a total new STIs incidence rate of 21 per 1000 in 2019 which was an increase from 16 per 1000 in 2015. We analysed the STIs/HIV data to determine the incidence of STIs, STIs/HIV coinfection, HIV testing uptake and STIs trends from 2015 to 2019 to understand the STIs burden and identify areas that need strengthening.
Methods: We conducted secondary data analysis of STIs/HIV data presented in Chegutu District Health Information Software (DHIS2). Microsoft Excel was used to calculate STIs incidence rate, frequencies, proportions, trends, linear regression analysis and t-tests.
Results: We analysed 25,586 STIs records from 2015 through 2019. The majority of STIs clients were females 13,916/25.586(44%). The most prevalent STIs from 2015 to 2019 were vaginal discharge syndrome 7,498 /25,586(29%). The 25-49-year age group had the highest STIs incidence from 13 per 1000 in 2015 to 17 per 1000 in 2019(R 2=0.87: p<0.01). The STIs incidence rate in females was 33 per 1000 in 2015 to 44 per 1000 in 2019 (R2 ꞊0.96: p˂ 0.01). The proportion of HIV testing uptake in males was 44% in 2015 to 56% in 2019(R2꞊0.61 p꞊0.01).
Conclusion: STIs remain a public health concern among all age groups in Chegutu District. Females were more affected by STIs than males. The age group 25 to 49 years was most affected by STIs.
