Prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection among women of reproductive age in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective

Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection is a global, major public health problem. It is the second leading bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) in sub-Saharan Africa and worldwide. As study findings on the topic are inconsistent, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the pooled prevalence of N. gonorrhoeae infection in sub-Saharan Africa among reproductive-aged women.

Methods

Published studies were systematically retrieved from PubMed, Embase, CINHAL and Science Direct. Their quality was measured using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist for studies reporting prevalence data, and the score of each included study had to meet at least 4.5 out of 9 indicators of quality.

Results

The meta-analysis of 35 studies showed that the pooled prevalence of N. gonorrhoeae infection among reproductive-aged women in sub-Saharan Africa was 3.28% (95% confidence interval 2.61%, 3.94%).

Conclusion

The prevalence of N. gonorrhoeae infection was higher than that found in other studies carried out in the region. The results suggest that greater attention should be paid to the primary prevention of N. gonorrhoeae. We recommend the implementation of STI education for reproductive-aged women and the use of specific and rapid diagnostic testing for N. gonorrhoeae infection in STI clinics. N. gonorrhoeae screening and treatment should be integrated into in- and outpatient clinics to reduce infection among reproductive-aged women.

摘要

目的：淋病奈瑟菌感染是一个全球性的重大公共卫生问题。它是非洲撒哈拉以南和世界范围内第二大细菌性性传播感染（STI）。由于这一主题的研究结果不一致, 我们进行了一项系统回顾和meta分析, 以确定非洲撒哈拉以南育龄女性淋病奈瑟菌感染的汇集患病率。

方法：系统地从PubMed、Embase、CINHAL和Science Direct检索已发表的研究。采用Joanna Briggs研究所的关键评估清单对报告患病率数据的研究进行质量评估, 每个纳入的研究必须达到9个质量指标中的至少4.5个。

结果：35项研究的meta分析表明, 非洲撒哈拉以南育龄期女性淋病奈瑟菌感染的汇集患病率为3.28%（95%置信区间为2.61%, 3.94%）。

结论：淋病奈瑟菌感染的患病率高于在该地区进行的其他研究中得出的患病率, 提示应重视淋病奈瑟菌的一级预防工作。我们建议对育龄期女性实施STI教育, 并在STI诊所采用淋病奈瑟菌感染的特异和快速诊断检测。应将淋病奈瑟菌筛查和治疗纳入病房和门诊, 以减少育龄期女性的感染。

Keywords:

• Meta-analysis
• Neisseria gonorrhoeae
• reproductive-aged women
• sub-Saharan Africa

Author contributions

ZYK is the principal investigator and contributed to the concept and design of the study; collected, entered, analysed and interpreted the data; and edited and prepared the manuscript for publication. SH contributed to the analysis and interpretation of the data and drafted the manuscript. NH, YM and FB drafted and edited the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).