Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40405070›Full record

ArticleBMC infectious diseases2025

Healthcare-Seeking behavior for sexually transmitted infections among women who initiated sexual intercourse at an early age in 22 Sub-Saharan African Countries: a multilevel analysis of 2018-2024 demographic and health survey data.

Getachew Teshale, Melak Jejaw, Kaleb Assegid Demissie, Nebebe Demis Baykemagn, Tirualem Zeleke Yehuala, Jenberu Mekurianew Kelkay

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Article in BMC infectious diseases, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing 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

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

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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

6 authors.

Getachew TeshaleDepartment of Health Systems and Policy, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Po. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia. getateshale1221@gmail.com.
Melak JejawDepartment of Health Systems and Policy, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Po. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Kaleb Assegid DemissieDepartment of Health Systems and Policy, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Po. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Nebebe Demis BaykemagnDepartment of Health Informatics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Tirualem Zeleke YehualaDepartment of Health Informatics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Jenberu Mekurianew KelkayDepartment of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Debark University, Debark, Ethiopia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionSexually transmitted infections (STIs) represent a significant global public health concern, contributing substantially to illness and mortality, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Women of reproductive age who initiated sexual intercourse at an early age are at high risk of acquiring STIs. However, comprehensive data on their care-seeking behaviors in SSA are lacking. This study determines the prevalence of STI-related care-seeking behavior and identifies associated factors among these women.

methodThis study utilized data from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted in 22 SSA countries between 2018 and 2024. A weighted sample of 54,425 reproductive-age women who initiated sexual intercourse at an early age and reported STIs or related symptoms in the past year was analyzed. A multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression model identified individual and community-level factors, with statistical significance set at *p* < 0.05. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

resultsThe pooled prevalence of STI-related care-seeking behavior among women initiated sexual intercourse at early age in SSA countries was 39.18% (95% CI: 33.25%, 45.03%). Multilevel analysis revealed significant associations with age, education, religion, pregnancy status, employment, household wealth, media exposure, financial barriers, awareness of AIDS/STIs, cervical cancer testing, residence, community education, media exposure, and poverty.

conclusionSTI-related care-seeking behavior remains lower in this population compared to other studies. Associated factors include age, education, religion, pregnancy status, employment, household wealth, media exposure, financial barriers, awareness of AIDS/STIs, cervical cancer testing, residence, and community-level factors such as education, media exposure, and poverty. Public health efforts should prioritize socioeconomically disadvantaged women by strengthening counseling and awareness during cervical cancer screenings and antenatal visits. Policies to improve healthcare access and financial support for these women are essential.

Indexed as

Patient Acceptance of Health CareSexual BehaviorSexually Transmitted DiseasesAdolescentAdultAfrica South of the SaharaFemaleHealth SurveysHumansMiddle AgedMultilevel AnalysisPrevalenceSocioeconomic FactorsYoung AdultDHSEarly age sexual intercourseHealthcare seekingSTISub-Saharan

Identifiers

PMID40405070
PMCPMC12100818

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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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.