Public willingness to receive chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis vaccines: a scoping review
T Valleroy1, Colin Garon2, Janamarie Perroud3
1Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
Background:
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis contribute significantly to global morbidity and mortality. Researchers are pursuing vaccines for these STIs, and a clinical trial is currently underway for a chlamydia vaccine. However, there is little research available on individuals' willingness to receive chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis vaccines. The purpose of this analysis was to map the existing literature we have on individuals' willingness to receive these bacterial/parasitic STI vaccines and understand what information on vaccine acceptability is still needed.
Methods:
We searched seven databases for literature on STI vaccine acceptability, then conducted title/abstract and full-text reviews to assess eligibility. All reviews and abstractions were conducted blindly by two reviewers, with discrepancies settled by discussion or the input of a third reviewer.
Results:
Eight of the original 2,259 texts of interest met inclusion criteria. After data abstraction, we found that gonorrhea was the most commonly examined, followed by chlamydia and syphilis. Trichomoniasis vaccine acceptability was not reported. Most texts reported high acceptability, but there did not appear to be data describing how vaccine characteristics affect acceptability. Similarly, while the literature covers a variety of populations, most of the study populations were based out of the United States or Canada and were patrons of healthcare facilities or participants from a larger health intervention study. Therefore, more information is needed on populations outside North America, and on groups with lower healthcare access and utilization.
Conclusion:
As the incidence of bacterial and parasitic STIs increase, and as we grow nearer vaccines for these illnesses, understanding how likely the public is to accept and receive these vaccines is crucial to their success. While the existing literature describes STI vaccine acceptability in a variety of populations, their overall number is small. More research into STI vaccine acceptability outside of North America, and especially examining how factors like number of doses, timing, and cost influence vaccine acceptability is needed to ensure effective future vaccine rollouts.
Insights
Public willingness to receive new bacterial/parasitic sexually transmitted infection (STI) vaccines is largely unknown. Research shows high acceptability but needs more data on vaccine characteristics and diverse populations globally.
Area of Science:
- Public health
- Vaccinology
- Infectious diseases
Background:
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) cause significant global morbidity and mortality.
- Vaccine development for STIs like chlamydia is progressing, yet public acceptance remains understudied.
- Bacterial and parasitic STIs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map existing literature on public willingness to receive bacterial/parasitic STI vaccines.
- To identify gaps in current research regarding vaccine acceptability.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search across seven databases.
- Blind title/abstract and full-text reviews by two independent reviewers.
- Discrepancy resolution through discussion or a third reviewer.
Main Results:
- Eight studies met inclusion criteria from 2,259 initial texts.
- Gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis vaccine acceptability were examined; trichomoniasis was not.
- Most studies reported high acceptability but lacked data on vaccine characteristics' impact.
- Populations studied were predominantly from North America, with limited data on international or underserved groups.
Conclusions:
- Understanding public vaccine acceptability is crucial for the success of upcoming bacterial/parasitic STI vaccines.
- The current body of research is small and primarily focuses on North American populations.
- Further research is needed on international populations and factors influencing acceptability, such as cost and dosage.
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