Epidemiological situation of post-pandemic sexually transmitted infections in Catalonia, Spain

Abstract

BackgroundThe growing trend of STIs in recent years was altered after the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. ObjectivesDescribe the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on STI declarations received during the pre-pandemic to pandemic period and estimate the number of STI cases expected for the pandemic period. Material and methodsDescriptive analysis of STI declarations received during the pre-pandemic (2018−2019) and pandemic (2020−2021) periods. The influence of the number of positive cases of SARS-CoV-2 with the number of positive cases of STIs during the months of the pandemic was studied using a correlation model. Using the Holt-Wilson time series model, an estimate was made of the number of STI cases expected for the pandemic period. ResultsThe global incidence rate for all STIs in 2020 decreased by 18.3% compared to 2019. Chlamydia and syphilis presented a greater reduction in their incidence from 2019 to 2020 of 22.7% and 20.9%, respectively and 9.5% and 2.5% for gonorrhea and LGV. Estimates showed that in 2020 there would have been 44.6% more STIs than those declared. The proportions according to sex, country of birth and sexual orientation changed significantly in chlamydia and gonorrhea. ConclusionsThe measures adopted for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infections were able to achieve an initial decrease in STI cases in 2020, however, this change was not maintained during 2021, which ended with higher incidences recorded to date.