Sexually transmitted infections among key populations in India: systematic review with spatiotemporal distribution

In the developing world, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are among the key sources of health and financial adversities, contributing significantly to morbidity, death, and stigma. The frequency and prevalence of four treatable STIs— syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis—vary greatly throughout different geographical regions. In the current situation, published reports from multiple local, national and international bodies are combined with information from peer-reviewed published articles to generate present systematic review. Goal of the current systematic review is to identify the geographic distribution and current of STIs among the Indian key population. The PRISMA flow diagram describes the specific criteria of inclusion and exclusion as well as the quantity of articles in each category. A relevant electronic database search produced to find 40 publications that matched the inclusion criteria outlined in the protocol for the current systematic review were found after a search of pertinent electronic databases However, it was found that published articles were not available from all of the geographical regions in India. The majority of the research was found in the western and southern regions. Few studies from the northern and north eastern regions of India have been published. The majority of published studies on STI prevalence were based on syphilis seroprevalence and focused on the MSM (men sex with men) and FSW (female sex workers) populations, followed by H/TG (Hijras with Transgenders) and PWID (those who inject drugs). The majority of the research used aetiological diagnosis to report prevalence. It can be concluded in light of the current findings with considering the noted limitations, present HIV surveillance system under the NACP (National AIDS Control Programme) may utilized the collected extra bio-specimen to establish prevalence of STIs in high risk populations. However, in coming days, with the availability of the comparable data from most of the regions in India, it will be possible to perform a systemic review and meta-analysis on the spatiotemporal distribution of the four curable STIs in Indian general population. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Funding Statement Yes ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: This is a review work, completely based on secondary data. I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes N/A