Study title: STIs in CHIEDZA

Lead researcher(s)

Chido Dziva Chikwari, Suzanna Francis, Rashida Ferrand, Richard Hayes

Funder(s)

UK Medical Research Council, UK Department for International Development

Partner(s)

Ministry of Health & Child Care, Harare City Health Services, Bulawayo City Health Services,

Chitungwiza Health Department, Population Services Zimbabwe, Newlands Clinic Zimbabwe,

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Background

Effective STI control in adolescents and young people is a key priority in low and middle-income countries, where syndromic management is currently the standard of care. This is especially relevant in regions of high STI/HIV prevalence. Newer STI diagnostics integrated into HIV and sexual and reproductive health services may provide an integrated, unsoiled solution.

Study aim(s)

To measure the impact of unselected STI testing and treatment of young people on population-level prevalence of any of Chlamydia Trachomatis, Neisseria Gonorrhoeae and Trichomonas Vaginalis

Study design

The STICH intervention consisted of outreach, promotion and mobilisation strategies applied to STI services, with unselected testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea using urine tests (males and females), and self-collected vaginal swab testing for trichomonas (females), with treatment offered for those positive and their partners. STICH services were delivered at CHIEDZA centres. The intervention was implemented in 2 provinces (Harare and Bulawayo) and 4 clusters in each province, for a 12- month period, staggered by 3 months. These intervention clusters were compared to 4 control clusters in each of the 2 provinces. STICH outcomes were measured in a cross-sectional survey which was embedded within the CHIEDZA outcomes prevalence survey. The study had a cost-effectiveness assessment and a process evaluation of the intervention's implementation (using the same framework as for the parent CHIEDZA study)

Study dates

2020-2023