Evidence map›Paper›PMID 35617304›Full record

ArticlePloS one2022

Prevalence of and risk factors associated with HIV, Herpes Simplex Virus-type 2, Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections among 18-24 year old students attending Higher Learning Institutions in Mbeya-Tanzania.

Ruby Doryn Mcharo, Abisai Kisinda, Lilian Njovu, Miri Mcharo, Florida Mbwilo, Getrude Mihale, Beatrice Komba, Ernest Andrew, Philippe Mayaud, Arne Kroidl and 2 more

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
10citing papers in PubMed
4.2field-weighted citation impact, top 6% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

10 citing papers in PubMed, 15 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Article
  2. High Burden ofMicroorganisms · 2026
    Article
  3. Article
  4. Distribution and Factors Associated withInfectious disease reports · 2025
    Article
  5. Article
  6. Preventing HIV in women in Africa.Nature medicine · 2025
    Review
  7. Article
  8. Article
  9. Evaluation ofJournal of tropical medicine · 2023
    Article
  10. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors at 4 institutions in 3 countries.

Ruby Doryn McharoNational Institute for Medical Research-Mbeya Medical Research Centre (NIMR-MMRC), Mbeya, Tanzania.ORCID 0000-0002-5006-3275
Abisai KisindaNational Institute for Medical Research-Mbeya Medical Research Centre (NIMR-MMRC), Mbeya, Tanzania.
Lilian NjovuNational Institute for Medical Research-Mbeya Medical Research Centre (NIMR-MMRC), Mbeya, Tanzania.
Miri McharoNational Institute for Medical Research-Mbeya Medical Research Centre (NIMR-MMRC), Mbeya, Tanzania.
Florida MbwiloNational Institute for Medical Research-Mbeya Medical Research Centre (NIMR-MMRC), Mbeya, Tanzania.
Getrude MihaleNational Institute for Medical Research-Mbeya Medical Research Centre (NIMR-MMRC), Mbeya, Tanzania.
Beatrice KombaNational Institute for Medical Research-Mbeya Medical Research Centre (NIMR-MMRC), Mbeya, Tanzania.
Ernest AndrewNational Institute for Medical Research-Mbeya Medical Research Centre (NIMR-MMRC), Mbeya, Tanzania.
Philippe MayaudLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, United Kingdom.
Arne KroidlDivision of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical Centre of the University of Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany.
Olena IvanovaDivision of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical Centre of the University of Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany.
Sia Emmanueli MsuyaDepartment of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo), Moshi, Tanzania.
National Institute for Medical Research · TZGerman Center for Infection Research · DEKilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre · TZLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine · GB

Funding

Wellcome Trust 107742/Z/15/Z
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common among young people in low- and middle-income countries and are associated with negative reproductive and pregnancy outcomes. Most of the studies have assessed HIV among adolescents and young adults, with limited information on occurrence of other STIs in this population. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of and risk factors associated with Herpes Simplex Virus-type 2 (HSV-2), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Syphilis and HIV infection among young adults attending Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs) in Mbeya, Tanzania.

methodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study among students aged 18-24years attending HLIs in Mbeya-Tanzania, randomly selected using a computerized random number. Participants were tested for HSV-2, CT, NG, Syphilis and HIV infection. We used a self-administered questionnaire to collect information on sexual activity and risk factors to the tested STIs.

resultsWe enrolled 504 students from 5 HLIs, with mean age of 21.5 years (SD 1.7). 17% of the students had at least one STI; prevalence was higher among females than males (21.1% versus 14.1%). CT (11%) and HSV-2 (6.1%) were the most common STIs, while NG (1.1%) and HIV (0.7%) infection had the least occurrence. None of the participants was diagnosed with Syphilis. In univariate analysis, predictors for STIs were Sex, inconsistent condom use in the past 4weeks, report of oral sex, sexual orientation (bisexual/homosexual) and having a sexual partner with an age-difference of at least 5years (either older or younger); while in the multivariate analysis, Sex, inconsistent condom use in the past 4weeks and sexual orientation (bisexual/homosexual) remained significant.

conclusionSTIs such as Chlamydia and HSV-2 which are commonly asymptomatic are of concern among young adults attending HLIs. The latter is an important group that needs attention and recognition that is pivotal in transmission of STIs considering their risk. Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns targeting young adults, especially those at HLIs, need to focus on exposure-risk minimization. Funding institutions that have invested heavily on HIV prevention campaigns should consider giving similar recognition to other STIs for a streamlined outcome.

Indexed as

Chlamydia InfectionsGonorrheaHIV InfectionsSexually Transmitted DiseasesSyphilisAdolescentChlamydia trachomatisCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHerpesvirus 2, HumanHumansMaleNeisseria gonorrhoeaePregnancyPrevalenceRisk Factors

Identifiers

PMID35617304
PMCPMC9135268
OpenAlexW4281644433

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.