Prevalence and associated factors of sexually transmitted infections in the adolescent population of the Ecuadorian highlands
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70577/wscfq870Palabras clave:
sexually transmitted infections, adolescents, Chlamydia trachomatis, human papillomavirus, gestational syphilis, risk factors, Ecuadorian highlandsResumen
Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) represent a serious public health problem in adolescents, especially in regions with barriers to health service access. Objective: To determine the pooled prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis, gonorrhea, syphilis, and human papillomavirus (HPV), as well as the prevalence of gestational syphilis in adolescents under 20 years of age, and to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of STIs associated with risk factors in adolescents from the Sierra region of Ecuador. Methodology: A meta-analysis of observational studies published between 2000 and 2025 was conducted through a systematic search in PubMed, LILACS, SciELO and institutional sources. Studies conducted in the Ecuadorian Andean region (>2500 masl) that reported STI prevalence and/or associated factors in adolescents aged 10 to 19 years were included. Quality was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa scale and statistical analysis used a random-effects model. Results: Ten studies (n=3,247) were included. Pooled prevalence was: Chlamydia 18.6% (95%CI:12.4-24.8), gonorrhea 4.2% (2.1-6.3), syphilis 3.8% (1.9-5.7), HPV 31.2% (24.6-37.8) and gestational syphilis 2.1% (1.2-3.0). Pooled OR for STIs was: low sexual education 2.89 (1.94-4.31), non-use of condom 3.45 (2.31-5.15), sexual onset <15 years 2.67 (1.78-4.01) and rural Andean residence 1.56 (1.04-2.34). Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of STIs, especially HPV and Chlamydia, in adolescents from the Ecuadorian highlands, with risk factors associated with poor sexual education and unprotected practices, highlighting the urgency of implementing comprehensive sexual education programs and access to health services.
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Derechos de autor 2026 Carolina Estefanía Galárraga Valle, Sandra Evelyn Chaluisa Umajinga, Paula Gabriela Guaycha Valderrama, Shirley Anahí Morales Asís, Nayelli Alexandra Pullupaxi Lema (Autor/a)
Esta obra está bajo una licencia internacional Creative Commons Atribución-NoComercial-CompartirIgual 4.0.
