Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40102537›Full record

SynthesisScientific reports2025

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence and risk of syphilis among blood donors in Thailand.

Rujikorn Rattanatham, Wanida Mala, Kwuntida Uthaisar Kotepui, Frederick Ramirez Masangkay, Chutima Rattanawan, Supakanya Lasom, Kinley Wangdi, Manas Kotepui

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Scientific reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
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

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. 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

8 authors.

Rujikorn RattanathamMedical Technology Program, Faculty of Science, Nakhon Phanom University, Nakhon Phanom, Thailand.
Wanida MalaMedical Technology Program, Faculty of Science, Nakhon Phanom University, Nakhon Phanom, Thailand.
Kwuntida Uthaisar KotepuiMedical Technology Program, Faculty of Science, Nakhon Phanom University, Nakhon Phanom, Thailand.
Frederick Ramirez MasangkayDepartment of Medical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santo Tomas, 1008, Manila, Philippines.
Chutima RattanawanDepartment of Medical Science, Amnatcharoen Campus, Mahidol University, Amnatcharoen, Thailand.
Supakanya LasomDepartment of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand.
Kinley WangdiHEAL Global Research Centre, Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, 2617, Australia.
Manas KotepuiMedical Technology Program, Faculty of Science, Nakhon Phanom University, Nakhon Phanom, Thailand. manaskote@gmail.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Despite rising rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Thailand, including syphilis, data on its prevalence and associated risk factors among blood donors remain scarce. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of syphilis and identify the key risk factors among blood donors in Thailand to inform targeted interventions for enhanced blood safety.The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024560215) and conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Comprehensive searches were performed across major databases, including ProQuest, Journals@Ovid, Embase, Scopus, PubMed, and MEDLINE, to identify relevant studies. A random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled prevalence and odds ratios (ORs) for syphilis risk factors. Heterogeneity was quantified using the I² statistic, and meta-regression and subgroup analyses were employed to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and Egger's regression test. A total of 23 studies involving 1,142,910 blood donors were included. The pooled prevalence of syphilis among blood donors in Thailand was 0.42% (95% CI 0.27-0.66%, I²: 99.3%, number of infections: 6,173), with a decreasing trend over time. Male donors were significantly more likely to have syphilis (P < 0.0001; pooled OR: 1.76; 95% CI 1.53-2.03; I²: 34.2%, 651,019 participants). First-time donors also had an elevated risk of syphilis (P = 0.02; pooled OR: 2.02; 95% CI 1.10-3.70; I²: 94.0%, 215,245 participants). Additionally, the analysis revealed a significant association between increasing age and higher syphilis risk among blood donors. The systematic review and meta-analysis indicated that syphilis prevalence among blood donors in Thailand is declining; however, male and first-time donors, as well as older age groups, remain at higher risk. To enhance blood safety, targeted interventions are needed, including refining donor screening questionnaires, expanding educational campaigns for high-risk groups, and incorporating advanced screening technologies. Strengthening and regularly updating national screening policies will ensure the effective mitigation of syphilis transmission among blood donors in Thailand.

Indexed as

Blood DonorsSyphilisFemaleHumansMalePrevalenceRisk FactorsThailandBlood donorsMeta-analysisPrevalenceSyphilisSystematic reviewThailand

Identifiers

PMID40102537
PMCPMC11920362

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.