Evolution of the epidemiological surveillance indicators of the main sexually transmitted infections in Spain: A retrospective observational study (2011-2019)

Pellico-López Amada; Ruiz-Azcona Laura; Sánchez Movellán Mar; Ajo Bolado Purificación; García-Vázquez José; Manjón Rodríguez Jimena; Hernández-Aguado Ildefonso; Cayón-De Las Cuevas Joaquín; Paz-Zulueta María

doi:10.1016/j.midw.2022.103362

Evolution of the epidemiological surveillance indicators of the main sexually transmitted infections in Spain: A retrospective observational study (2011-2019)

Midwifery. 2022 Aug:111:103362. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2022.103362. Epub 2022 May 8.

Authors

Pellico-López Amada¹, Ruiz-Azcona Laura², Sánchez Movellán Mar³, Ajo Bolado Purificación³, García-Vázquez José⁴, Manjón Rodríguez Jimena⁵, Hernández-Aguado Ildefonso⁶, Cayón-De Las Cuevas Joaquín⁷, Paz-Zulueta María⁸

Affiliations

¹ Departamento de Enfermería, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda. Valdecilla s/n, Santander 39008, Spain; Cantabria Health Service, Avda. Derechos de la Infancia 31, CP, Cantabria, Spain.
² Departamento de Enfermería, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda. Valdecilla s/n, Santander 39008, Spain; Global Health Research Group. Departamento de Enfermería, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda. Valdecilla, s/n., Santander 39008, Spain. Electronic address: laura.ruiz@unican.es.
³ Sección de Programas de Salud de la Mujer. Dirección General de Salud Pública. Consejería de Sanidad. Gobierno de Cantabria. C/ Federico Vial 13, CP, Cantabria 39009, Spain.
⁴ Consejería de Salud de Asturias. C/ Ciriaco Miguel Vigil, 9, CP, Oviedo 33005, Spain.
⁵ Hospital Comarcal de Laredo, Avda. Derechos Humanos s/n, CP, Cantabria 39770, Spain.
⁶ Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, Alicante 03550, Spain; CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid 28029, Spain.
⁷ Departamento de Derecho Privado, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda. de los Castros s/n, Santander 39005, Spain; IDIVAL, GI Derecho Sanitario y Bioética, GRIDES, C/ Cardenal Herrera Oria s/n, Santander 39011, Spain.
⁸ Departamento de Enfermería, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda. Valdecilla s/n, Santander 39008, Spain; IDIVAL, GI Derecho Sanitario y Bioética, GRIDES, C/ Cardenal Herrera Oria s/n, Santander 39011, Spain.

PMID: 35569406
DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2022.103362

Abstract

Introduction: One of the most relevant aspects of sexual health promotion is the need to carry out health education by promoting a healthy affective-sexual education, with the capacity and resources to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies. The aim of this study was to collect the evolution of epidemiological surveillance indicators of the main STIs, stratified by autonomous community after the publication of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy in Spain in 2011 and until 2019.

Methods: A retrospective observational study of the Spanish population with STIs from 2011-2019. The study variables were indicators of the main STIs, including annual rates of notification of infections per 100,000 inhabitants.

Results: There is a lack of homogeneous and systematic epidemiological surveillance records for STIs. Overall, in Spain there was an upward trend in STIs, except for HIV, which showed a clear decrease.

Discussion: Despite existing regulations, strategies, and sex education programs in Spain, the main STIs have been increasing over the years, and Spain is one of the countries with the highest rates in Europe.

Keywords: Preventive health care; Public health; Sexual and reproductive health; Sexually transmitted diseases.

Publication types

Observational Study

MeSH terms

Female
HIV Infections* / epidemiology
HIV Infections* / prevention & control
Humans
Pregnancy
Retrospective Studies
Sexual Behavior
Sexual Health*
Sexually Transmitted Diseases* / epidemiology
Sexually Transmitted Diseases* / prevention & control
Spain / epidemiology