Determinants of sexually transmitted infection-related care-seeking behavior among reproductive-age women in sub-Saharan Africa: A multilevel analysis

Agazhe Aemro, Mohammed Seid Ali, Alebachew Ferede Zegeye, Belayneh Shetie Workneh, Gebreeyesus Abera Zeleke, Enyew Getaneh Mekonen, Tadesse Tarik Tamir, Mulugeta Wassie, Bewuketu Terefe and Berhan Tekeba

PLOS ONE, 2025, vol. 20, issue 9, 1-14

Abstract: Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a major public health threats in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Delay in seeking care is a significant barrier for the prevention and control of STIs. This study aimed to assess the proportion of women seeking STI-related care and its determinants in SSA. Method: This study was conducted using Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data from eleven SSA countries between 2017/18 and 2022/23. It included 47,924 reproductive-age women who reported having STIs or STI symptoms. A multilevel logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with STI-related care-seeking behavior. The strength of association was estimated using adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Finally, variables with a p-value of 1 sexual partner (AOR = 1.55; 95% CI: 1.37, 1.75), ever heard of STIs (AOR = 2.16; 95% CI: 1.89, 2.47), asking a husband to use a condom (AOR = 2.10; 95% CI: 1.99, 2.22), being pregnant (AOR = 1.29; 95% CI: 1.21, 1.38), media exposure (AOR = 1.20; 95% CI: 1.14, 1.27), residing in West Africa (AOR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.41, 1.61), being interviewed in 2019 (AOR = 2.27; 95% CI: 2.13, 2.42), and living in a community with low poverty levels (AOR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.40) were identified as significant predictors of STI-related care-seeking behavior. Conclusion: This study revealed that a significant proportion of women did not seek STI-related care. Therefore, national strategies and policies should be implemented to address barriers to seeking care.

Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0331781

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0331781

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