Europe’s growing awareness of gaps in its healthcare provision is not being matched by an increase in remedial action – despite the rich transformative potential of new approaches to data. The new availability of data offers policymakers tools that would allow Europe’s huge investments in health to be far better spent, by being properly targeted. The result would be far better health for far more Europeans. But that requires a step that most European policymakers have not been ready to take. They need to cooperate so that the data can be shared and its full value realised. This paper explores the potential and the challenges that stand in the way of mobilising health data for wider health benefits. This paper goes on to summarise the results of a survey on how different components of the healthcare sector perceive the opportunities from mobilising data effectively, and the barriers to doing so. The responses demonstrated a widespread genuine will to promote research and innovation, and its take-up, for the betterment of healthcare. There was strong appreciation of the merits of data sharing and readiness – under the right circumstances – to share personal health data for research purposes and to undergo genetic sequencing. This paper also suggests the strategic direction that should influence policy formation. The solution can be found without changing the EU treaties, which already provide an adequate base for cooperation. Properly handled, the problems facing European healthcare can be turned into major assets for Europe and make it easier for citizens to have equal access to high-quality care through the meaningful use of digital innovations.
A reliable overview of data on the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) in Russia is lacking and needed. All the available data on CT prevalence were analyzed in a systematic literature review on CT prevalence in Russia, strengthened with data from the multicenter study among 1263 people in the second-largest Russian megalopolis, St. Petersburg, testing for CT DNA in urethral, anal, cervical and prostate samples. A total of 10 articles met the inclusion criteria. The overall average prevalence of genital CT infections in Russian populations ranged from 2.9% to 33%. Risk factors included being symptomatic (P = 0.004; in men P < 0.001), being younger than 30 years (P = 0.001) and being a man who has sex with men (MSM) (P = 0.0084). Main limitations included the lack of studies in MSM. CT prevalence was higher in the groups where urethral and prostate secretion samples were pooled (5.2%-7.3% vs 3.2% in the urethra only). The data on CT prevalence in a range of Russian populations are analyzed and reported. Prostate secretions represent an additional sampling material for the study of CT infection in men. CT detection in some settings in St. Petersburg yielded levels of reliability comparable with internationally available tests. The initiation of screening programs for Chlamydia infections in Russia should be considered.
Chlamydia trachomatis is the world's most prevalent bacterial Sexually Transmitted infection (STI). It is associated with a wide range of health consequences and sequelae in both the short and long term. Enhanced control of urogenital C. trachomatis infection is particularly important in low- and middle-income countries such as India, where most of the burden goes unnoticed and where limited systematic data is available to gauge the current situation. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently issued its latest strategy on STIs, which is aligned with the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Taking the WHO framework into account; this paper puts forward an integrated care model to strengthen the management and control of C. trachomatis in India. The model is compiled of five key components of STI management (awareness, prevention diagnosis, treatment and follow-up). The model considers barriers to effective C. trachomatis control into account. The barriers are discussed and compiled into different categories. A roadmap for the implementation of other similar models to enhance C. trachomatis control in the future is provided.
Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), like Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (CT and NG, respectively) are linked to an important sexual and reproductive health (SRH) burden worldwide. Behavior is an important predictor for SRH, as it dictates the risk for STIs. Assessing the behavior of a population helps to assess its risk profile. Methods: Study participants were recruited at a gynecology outpatient department (OPD) in the Allahabad district in Uttar Pradesh India, and a questionnaire was used to assess demographics, SRH, and obstetric history. Patients provided three samples (urine, vaginal swab, and whole blood). These samples were used to identify CT and NG using PCR/NAAT and CT IgG ELISA. Results: A total of 296 women were included for testing; mean age was 29 years. No positive cases of CT and NG were observed using PCR/NAAT. A 7% (22/296) positivity rate for CT was observed using IgG ELISA. No positive association was found between serology and symptoms (vaginal discharge, abdominal pain, dysuria, and dyspareunia) or adverse pregnancy outcomes (miscarriage and stillbirth). Positive relations with CT could be observed with consumption of alcohol, illiteracy, and tenesmus (p-value 0.02–0.03). Discussion: STI prevalence in this study was low, but a high burden of SRH morbidity was observed, with a high symptomatic load. High rates of miscarriage (31%) and stillbirth (8%) were also observed among study subjects. No associations could be found between these ailments and CT infection. These rates are high even for low- and middle-income country standards. Conclusion: This study puts forward high rates of SRH morbidity, and instances of adverse reproductive health outcomes are highlighted in this study, although no associations with CT infection could be found. This warrants more investigation into the causes leading to these complaints in the Indian scenario and potential biases to NAAT testing, such as consumption of over-the-counter antimicrobials.
Chlamydia trachomatis (hereafter CT) is Gram-negative, obligate intracellular pathogen. It causes the world's most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease. India is home to the world's greatest burden of infectious diseases, yet information on prevalence rates of CT is scarce. This article systematically reviews the literature for the prevalence rates and testing methods in India. A total of 27 studies were included. Four main patients groups (symptomatic women, infertile women, pregnant women and asymptomatic population groups) could be identified with varying rates of CT (0.1%–32% using PCR, 2.4%–75% using ELISA serology). Most of the studies originated from urban settings, 11 of them from New Delhi. In-house PCR was the most common diagnostic technique used generating the following ranges in prevalence for the four group studies: symptomatic women 10%–50%, pregnant women 0.1%–2.5% and asymptomatic populations 0.9%–24.5%. The rates among infertile women were 9%–68% based on serology results. The prevalence rates featured in this paper are in line with other locations across the Indian subcontinent. This review highlights the extreme heterogeneity in the limited studies available in India on CT and the need for standardized guidelines for diagnosis and management of CT in India. The availability of resources should be considered in the formulation of recommendations.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.