Retrospective Investigation of Prevalence and Trends of STDs in Public Health Facilities in the Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia from July 2019-June 2020

Abstract

There is a significant and rising occurrence of major treatable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in sub Saharan Africa, particularly in Ethiopia. The engagement of teenagers in sexual activities without parental oversight continues to pose a public health threat. This study seeks to evaluate the prevalence and trends of significant treatable STIs within our region. <i>Methods: </i>3,500 patients with STI symptoms who were seen in all medical facilities between July 2019 and June 2020 were included in a retrospective cross-sectional study with descriptive statistics analysis to compare prevalence and trend measures by age group, sex, and month. Tables and bar graphs were used to present the results. <i>Result: </i>The data indicated a higher prevalence of STIs among males compared to females. The sexually active adult population exhibited a notable incidence of sexually transmitted diseases, with 52.7% of cases being male and 47.3% female. The specific STIs identified included genital candidiasis at 18.3%, hepatitis B at 16.9%, gonorrhea at 16.3%, hepatitis C at 13.6%, syphilis at 11.8%, genital herpes at 8.8%, genital warts at 7.5%, and Chlamydia at 6.8%. The incidence of syphilis showed an increase from 2.2% to 4.2% in 2020, while the trends for other STIs were more variable. <i>Conclusion: </i>Sexually transmitted diseases predominantly impact adults, with prevalence rates differing by gender and age group, and exhibiting a non-linear trend across most age categories. These findings offer essential insights into the epidemiological landscape of the country, suggesting the need for future prevention strategies that target adults at the highest risk for sexually transmitted infections.