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Prevalence of syphilis infection among migrant workers in Qatar: a nationwide cross-sectional survey

Authors :
Hiam Chemaitelly
Houssein H Ayoub
Hanan F Abdul Rahim
Abdullatif Al Khal
Einas Al Kuwari
Roberto Bertollini
Peter Coyle
Andrew Jeremijenko
Anvar Hassan Kaleeckal
Gheyath K Nasrallah
Hadi M Yassine
Hamad Eid Al Romaihi
Mohammed H Al-Thani
Mohamed Ghaith Al-Kuwari
Asmaa A Al Thani
Ahmed Ismail Ahmed Ismail
Duaa W Al-Sadeq
Fathima H Amanullah
Jawaher A Al-Emadi
Hadiya M Khalid
Parveen B Nizamuddin
Ibrahim Al-Shaar
Ibrahim W Karimeh
Mutaz M Ali
Sami Abdeen
Ashraf Abdelkarim
Faisal Daraan
Ahmed Ibrahim Hashim Elhaj Ismail
Nahid Mostafa
Mohamed Sahl
Jinan Suliman
Elias Tayar
Hasan Ali Kasem
Meynard J A Agsalog
Bassam K Akkarathodiyil
Ayat A Alkhalaf
Mohamed Morhaf M H Alakshar
Abdulsalam Ali A H Al-Qahtani
Monther H A Al-Shedifat
Anas Ansari
Ahmad Ali Ataalla
Sandeep Chougule
Abhilash K K V Gopinathan
Feroz J Poolakundan
Sanjay U Ranbhise
Saed M A Saefan
Mohamed M Thaivalappil
Abubacker S Thoyalil
Inayath M Umar
Odette Chaghoury
Elmoubasher Farag
Source :
BMJ Open, Vol 14, Iss 11 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
BMJ Publishing Group, 2024.

Abstract

Objectives Scant data are available on syphilis infection within migrant populations worldwide and in the population of the Middle East and North Africa region. This study investigated the prevalence of both lifetime and recent syphilis infections among migrant craft and manual workers (MCMWs) in Qatar, a diverse demographic representing 60% of the country’s population.Methods Sera specimens collected during a nationwide cross-sectional survey of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among the MCMW population, conducted between 26 July and 9 September 2020, were analysed. Treponema pallidum antibodies were detected using the Mindray CL-900i Chemiluminescence Immunoassay Analyzer. To differentiate recent infections, rapid plasma reagin (RPR) testing was performed, with an RPR titre of ≥1:8 considered indicative of recent infection. Logistic regression analyses were employed to identify factors associated with lifetime syphilis infection. Sampling weights were incorporated into all statistical analyses to obtain population-level estimates.Results T. pallidum antibodies were identified in 38 of the 2528 tested sera specimens. Prevalence of lifetime infection was estimated at 1.3% (95% CI 0.9% to 1.8%). Among the 38 treponemal-positive specimens, 15 were reactive by RPR, with three having titres ≥1:8, indicating recent infection. Prevalence of recent infection was estimated at 0.09% (95% CI 0.01 to 0.3%). Among treponemal-positive MCMWs, the estimated proportion with recent infection was 8.1% (95% CI: 1.7 to 21.4%). The adjusted OR for lifetime infection increased with age, reaching 8.68 (95% CI 2.58 to 29.23) among those aged ≥60 years compared with those ≤29 years of age. Differences in prevalence were observed by nationality and occupation, but no differences were found by educational attainment or geographic location.Conclusions Syphilis prevalence among MCMWs in Qatar is consistent with global levels, highlighting a disease burden with implications for health and social well-being. These findings underscore the need for programmes addressing both sexually transmitted infections and the broader sexual health needs of this population.

Subjects

Subjects :
Medicine

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20446055
Volume :
14
Issue :
11
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
BMJ Open
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.f98e04cde5c48e0bc493042f5c0eda2
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-083810