Burden and risk factors of sexually transmitted diseases and infections in women of reproductive age (15–49 years) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): a scoping review
Abstract
Introduction
Sexually transmitted diseases and infections have a significant negative impact on both individual and
community productivity across all countries, particularly in developing ones. Depending on the STI and
the population, the risk of HIV acquisition and transmission may increase by two to eight times in
low-income nations. Due to the consequences of co-infection with HPV and HIV, the prevalence of
cervical diseases, including cervical cancer, has grown in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
Method
This is a scoping evaluation of primary studies released between 2012 and 2022. We followed the
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses expanded for scoping reviews in
order to publish the findings of this inquiry (PRISMA.ScR). The original, peer-reviewed research
publications that satisfied the inclusion requirements and were published from 2012 onward were given
priority. These articles were collected from the databases of PubMed, EMBASE, and African Journals
Online. Two impartial reviewers used preset criteria to conduct the screening.
Objective
This review was done to provide evidence on the burden and factors of sexually transmitted diseases and
infections in women of reproductive age (15–49 years) in SSA.
Findings
Eleven (11) studies met the inclusion criteria. Ten (10) out of the eleven (11) included studies reported the
prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases and infections in women of reproductive age in SSA. The risk
factors were persistent with socio-cultural, behavioral, and socio-economic factors. The sociocultural
factors identified include the age of the woman, marital status, employment, education of the woman, and,
being in a female-headed home. The behavioral factors identified include having more than one sexual
partner, and not using condoms with regular partners, and the socioeconomic factors identified include the
environment of the woman respectively.
Conclusion
We come to the conclusion that age, being unmarried, living in urban areas, having sex with multiple
sexual partners, low/primary education, and, self-employment/employment were factors associated with
sexually transmitted diseases and infections in women of reproductive age in SSA. This review noted
some gaps like ( the mortality rate of STDS and STIs in SSA, the impact STDs, and STIs create on the
reproductive health of the women, facilities available to test and treat women for STDs and , STIs etc.)
which are required to be further researched in these areas.