Sexually transmitted infections in Spain: Current status

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) represent a major public health challenge in Spain, characterized by organizational complexities and overlapping health authority competencies.
• The current epidemiological landscape of STI in Spain is not well-defined, necessitating expert inquiry.
• Increasing figures for gonococcal infection, syphilis, Chlamydia trachomatis, and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) are reported by central health authorities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the current situation of STI in Spain, including diagnosis, treatment, and prevention challenges.
• To identify the pathways patients with suspected STI follow for diagnosis and treatment.
• To understand the barriers to effective STI management, including diagnostic testing and resource allocation.

Main Methods:

• A series of questions formulated by the Scientific Committee on COVID and Emerging Pathogens of I প্রতিশ্রুতিOMEM.
• Distribution of these questions to committee members and external experts in the field.
• Analysis of expert responses regarding STI prevalence, diagnostic challenges, and healthcare pathways.

Main Results:

• High and increasing incidence rates for key bacterial STI (gonorrhea, syphilis, Chlamydia, LGV) and viral infections (HIV, Monkeypox, HSV, HPV).
• Emerging pathogens like Mycoplasma genitalium present diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties.
• Significant challenges exist in accessing necessary microbiological tests, compounded by the outsourcing of services, high costs of molecular techniques, and sample transport issues.
• STI management primarily occurs in public health institutions, including Primary Care and Emergency Services.
• STI are a concern in pediatric populations, potentially indicating sexual abuse.
• Limited data exists on the healthcare costs associated with STI.

Conclusions:

• Effective STI management in Spain is hindered by diagnostic test availability, cost, and logistical challenges.
• A better understanding of at-risk populations is crucial for targeted interventions.
• Despite governmental efforts to improve STI control, evidence on the impact of new strategies is still lacking.
• STI represent a significant public health problem requiring comprehensive and evidence-based interventions.