The prevalence of sexually transmitted infections in Papua New Guinea: a systematic review and meta-analysis

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 5; no. 12; p. e15586
• Main Authors: Vallely, Andrew, Page, Andrew, Dias, Shannon, Siba, Peter, Lupiwa, Tony, Law, Greg, Millan, John, Wilson, David P, Murray, John M, Toole, Michael, Kaldor, John M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 23.12.2010; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; AIDS; Analysis; Chlamydia; Chlamydia Infections - epidemiology; Chlamydia trachomatis; Cohort Studies; Communicable Disease Control; Communities; Data collection; Demographics; Disease prevention; Disease transmission; Epidemics; Epidemiology; Female; Gonorrhea - epidemiology; HIV; HIV Infections - epidemiology; HIV Infections - prevention & control; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Infections; Male; Medicine; Meta-analysis; Neisseria gonorrhoeae; Occupational health; Papua New Guinea; Prevalence; Prevention; Prostitution; Reviews; Risk Factors; Sex; Sexually transmitted diseases; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - epidemiology; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - prevention & control; Social and Behavioral Sciences; Social Class; STD; Syphilis; Syphilis - epidemiology; Systematic review; Treatment Outcome; Trichomonas vaginalis; Workers; New Guinea; Papua New Guinea; Southeast Asia; Pacific Islands; Sydney New South Wales Australia; Australia; Indonesia
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015586

The potential for an expanded HIV epidemic in Papua New Guinea (PNG) demands an effective, evidence-based and locally-appropriate national response. As sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may be important co-factors in HIV transmission nationally, it is timely to conduct a systematic review of STI prevalences to inform national policy on sexual health and HIV/STI prevention. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of HIV and STI prevalences in PNG, reported in peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed publications for the period 1950-2010. Prevalence estimates were stratified by study site (community or clinic-based), geographic area and socio-demographic characteristics. The search strategy identified 105 reports, of which 25 studies (10 community-based; 10 clinic-based; and 5 among self-identified female sex workers) reported STI prevalences and were included in the systematic review. High prevalences of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and trichomonas were reported in all settings, particularly among female sex workers, where pooled estimates of 26.1%, 33.6%, 33.1% and 39.3% respectively were observed. Pooled HIV prevalence in community-based studies was 1.8% (95% CI:1.2-2.4) in men; 2.6% (95% CI:1.7-3.5) in women; and 11.8% (95% CI:5.8-17.7) among female sex workers. The epidemiology of STIs and HIV in PNG shows considerable heterogeneity by geographical setting and sexual risk group. Prevalences from community-based studies in PNG were higher than in many other countries in the Asia-Pacific. A renewed focus on national STI/HIV surveillance priorities and systems for routine and periodic data collection will be essential to building effective culturally-relevant behavioural and biomedical STI/HIV prevention programs in PNG.