Peer-reviewed article

Individual and community level factors associated with sexually transmitted infections among men in Tanzania: insights from the Tanzania demographic and health survey of 2022.

Gosa Mankelkl, Seid Mohammed Abdu, Ebrahim Msaye Asefa, Altaseb Beyene Kassaw, Gashawu Abebe et al. · 12 Jun 2024

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections continue to be a significant public health issue on a global scale. Due to their effects on reproductive and child health as well as their role in facilitating the spread of HIV infection, sexually transmitted infections impose a heavy burden of morbidity and mortality in many developing countries. In addition, stigma, infertility, cancer, and an increased risk of HIV are the primary impacts of STIs on sexual and reproductive health. While numerous studies have been conducted in Tanzania to address this specific topic in various settings, the majority of them weren't representative. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to use data from the most recent Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey in order to evaluate the individual and community-level factors associated with sexually transmitted infections among Tanzanian men at the national level. METHODS: The most recent datasets from the Tanzania demographic and health survey were used for secondary data analysis. A total of 5763 men participated in this study. The recent Tanzania demographic and health survey provides data for multilevel mixed effect analysis on the variables that contribute to sexually transmitted infections among men in Tanzania. Finally, the percentage and odd ratio were provided, together with their 95% confidence intervals. RESULT: This study includes a total weighted sample of 5763 men from the Tanzania demographic and health survey. Of the total study participants, 7.5% of men had sexually transmitted infections in the last twelve months. Being married [AOR: 0.531, 95% CI (0.9014, 3.429)] was a factor that reduced the risk of sexually transmitted infections among men. On the other hand, being between the age range of 20 and 24 years [AOR: 6.310, 95% CI (3.514, 11.329)] and having more than one union [AOR: 1.861, 95% CI (1.406, 2.463)] were the factors that increased the risk of sexually transmitted infections among men. CONCLUSIONS: Men's sexually transmitted infections have been associated with individual-level factors. So, the Tanzanian governments and the concerned stakeholders should provide special attention for men whose age range is 20-24 years old. Promoting marriages and limiting the number of sexual partners should be the main strategies to lower the risk of sexually transmitted infections among men in Tanzania.