Prevalence of syphilis infection among migrant workers in Qatar: a nationwide cross-sectional survey

Objectives Scant data are available on syphilis infection within migrant populations worldwide and in the population of the Middle East and North Africa region. This study investigated the prevalence of both lifetime and recent syphilis infections among migrant craft and manual workers (MCMWs) in Qa...

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Main Authors: Hiam Chemaitelly, Houssein H Ayoub, Hanan F Abdul Rahim, Abdullatif Al Khal, Einas Al Kuwari, Roberto Bertollini, Peter Coyle, Andrew Jeremijenko, Anvar Hassan Kaleeckal, Gheyath K Nasrallah, Hadi M Yassine, Hamad Eid Al Romaihi, Mohammed H Al-Thani, Mohamed Ghaith Al-Kuwari, Asmaa A Al Thani, Ahmed Ismail Ahmed Ismail, Duaa W Al-Sadeq, Fathima H Amanullah, Jawaher A Al-Emadi, Hadiya M Khalid, Parveen B Nizamuddin, Ibrahim Al-Shaar, Ibrahim W Karimeh, Mutaz M Ali, Sami Abdeen, Ashraf Abdelkarim, Faisal Daraan, Ahmed Ibrahim Hashim Elhaj Ismail, Nahid Mostafa, Mohamed Sahl, Jinan Suliman, Elias Tayar, Hasan Ali Kasem, Meynard J A Agsalog, Bassam K Akkarathodiyil, Ayat A Alkhalaf, Mohamed Morhaf M H Alakshar, Abdulsalam Ali A H Al-Qahtani, Monther H A Al-Shedifat, Anas Ansari, Ahmad Ali Ataalla, Sandeep Chougule, Abhilash K K V Gopinathan, Feroz J Poolakundan, Sanjay U Ranbhise, Saed M A Saefan, Mohamed M Thaivalappil, Abubacker S Thoyalil, Inayath M Umar, Odette Chaghoury, Elmoubasher Farag
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2024-11-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/11/e083810.full
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author Hiam Chemaitelly
Houssein H Ayoub
Hanan F Abdul Rahim
Abdullatif Al Khal
Einas Al Kuwari
Roberto Bertollini
Peter Coyle
Andrew Jeremijenko
Anvar Hassan Kaleeckal
Gheyath K Nasrallah
Hadi M Yassine
Hamad Eid Al Romaihi
Mohammed H Al-Thani
Mohamed Ghaith Al-Kuwari
Asmaa A Al Thani
Ahmed Ismail Ahmed Ismail
Duaa W Al-Sadeq
Fathima H Amanullah
Jawaher A Al-Emadi
Hadiya M Khalid
Parveen B Nizamuddin
Ibrahim Al-Shaar
Ibrahim W Karimeh
Mutaz M Ali
Sami Abdeen
Ashraf Abdelkarim
Faisal Daraan
Ahmed Ibrahim Hashim Elhaj Ismail
Nahid Mostafa
Mohamed Sahl
Jinan Suliman
Elias Tayar
Hasan Ali Kasem
Meynard J A Agsalog
Bassam K Akkarathodiyil
Ayat A Alkhalaf
Mohamed Morhaf M H Alakshar
Abdulsalam Ali A H Al-Qahtani
Monther H A Al-Shedifat
Anas Ansari
Ahmad Ali Ataalla
Sandeep Chougule
Abhilash K K V Gopinathan
Feroz J Poolakundan
Sanjay U Ranbhise
Saed M A Saefan
Mohamed M Thaivalappil
Abubacker S Thoyalil
Inayath M Umar
Odette Chaghoury
Elmoubasher Farag
author_facet Hiam Chemaitelly
Houssein H Ayoub
Hanan F Abdul Rahim
Abdullatif Al Khal
Einas Al Kuwari
Roberto Bertollini
Peter Coyle
Andrew Jeremijenko
Anvar Hassan Kaleeckal
Gheyath K Nasrallah
Hadi M Yassine
Hamad Eid Al Romaihi
Mohammed H Al-Thani
Mohamed Ghaith Al-Kuwari
Asmaa A Al Thani
Ahmed Ismail Ahmed Ismail
Duaa W Al-Sadeq
Fathima H Amanullah
Jawaher A Al-Emadi
Hadiya M Khalid
Parveen B Nizamuddin
Ibrahim Al-Shaar
Ibrahim W Karimeh
Mutaz M Ali
Sami Abdeen
Ashraf Abdelkarim
Faisal Daraan
Ahmed Ibrahim Hashim Elhaj Ismail
Nahid Mostafa
Mohamed Sahl
Jinan Suliman
Elias Tayar
Hasan Ali Kasem
Meynard J A Agsalog
Bassam K Akkarathodiyil
Ayat A Alkhalaf
Mohamed Morhaf M H Alakshar
Abdulsalam Ali A H Al-Qahtani
Monther H A Al-Shedifat
Anas Ansari
Ahmad Ali Ataalla
Sandeep Chougule
Abhilash K K V Gopinathan
Feroz J Poolakundan
Sanjay U Ranbhise
Saed M A Saefan
Mohamed M Thaivalappil
Abubacker S Thoyalil
Inayath M Umar
Odette Chaghoury
Elmoubasher Farag
author_sort Hiam Chemaitelly
collection DOAJ
description Objectives Scant data are available on syphilis infection within migrant populations worldwide and in the population of the Middle East and North Africa region. This study investigated the prevalence of both lifetime and recent syphilis infections among migrant craft and manual workers (MCMWs) in Qatar, a diverse demographic representing 60% of the country’s population.Methods Sera specimens collected during a nationwide cross-sectional survey of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among the MCMW population, conducted between 26 July and 9 September 2020, were analysed. Treponema pallidum antibodies were detected using the Mindray CL-900i Chemiluminescence Immunoassay Analyzer. To differentiate recent infections, rapid plasma reagin (RPR) testing was performed, with an RPR titre of ≥1:8 considered indicative of recent infection. Logistic regression analyses were employed to identify factors associated with lifetime syphilis infection. Sampling weights were incorporated into all statistical analyses to obtain population-level estimates.Results T. pallidum antibodies were identified in 38 of the 2528 tested sera specimens. Prevalence of lifetime infection was estimated at 1.3% (95% CI 0.9% to 1.8%). Among the 38 treponemal-positive specimens, 15 were reactive by RPR, with three having titres ≥1:8, indicating recent infection. Prevalence of recent infection was estimated at 0.09% (95% CI 0.01 to 0.3%). Among treponemal-positive MCMWs, the estimated proportion with recent infection was 8.1% (95% CI: 1.7 to 21.4%). The adjusted OR for lifetime infection increased with age, reaching 8.68 (95% CI 2.58 to 29.23) among those aged ≥60 years compared with those ≤29 years of age. Differences in prevalence were observed by nationality and occupation, but no differences were found by educational attainment or geographic location.Conclusions Syphilis prevalence among MCMWs in Qatar is consistent with global levels, highlighting a disease burden with implications for health and social well-being. These findings underscore the need for programmes addressing both sexually transmitted infections and the broader sexual health needs of this population.
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spelling doaj-art-ef98e04cde5c48e0bc493042f5c0eda22024-12-13T08:20:09ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552024-11-01141110.1136/bmjopen-2023-083810Prevalence of syphilis infection among migrant workers in Qatar: a nationwide cross-sectional surveyHiam Chemaitelly0Houssein H Ayoub1Hanan F Abdul Rahim2Abdullatif Al Khal3Einas Al Kuwari4Roberto Bertollini5Peter Coyle6Andrew Jeremijenko7Anvar Hassan Kaleeckal8Gheyath K Nasrallah9Hadi M Yassine10Hamad Eid Al Romaihi11Mohammed H Al-Thani12Mohamed Ghaith Al-Kuwari13Asmaa A Al Thani14Ahmed Ismail Ahmed Ismail15Duaa W Al-Sadeq16Fathima H Amanullah17Jawaher A Al-Emadi18Hadiya M Khalid19Parveen B Nizamuddin20Ibrahim Al-Shaar21Ibrahim W Karimeh22Mutaz M Ali23Sami Abdeen24Ashraf Abdelkarim25Faisal Daraan26Ahmed Ibrahim Hashim Elhaj Ismail27Nahid Mostafa28Mohamed Sahl29Jinan Suliman30Elias Tayar31Hasan Ali Kasem32Meynard J A Agsalog33Bassam K Akkarathodiyil34Ayat A Alkhalaf35Mohamed Morhaf M H Alakshar36Abdulsalam Ali A H Al-Qahtani37Monther H A Al-Shedifat38Anas Ansari39Ahmad Ali Ataalla40Sandeep Chougule41Abhilash K K V Gopinathan42Feroz J Poolakundan43Sanjay U Ranbhise44Saed M A Saefan45Mohamed M Thaivalappil46Abubacker S Thoyalil47Inayath M Umar48Odette Chaghoury49Elmoubasher Farag504 Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, New York, USA6 Mathematics Program, Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Physics, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar11 Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar7 Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar7 Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar8 Ministry of Public Health Qatar, Doha, Qatar1 Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar7 Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar7 Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar1 Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar1 Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar8 Ministry of Public Health Qatar, Doha, Qatar8 Ministry of Public Health Qatar, Doha, Qatar12 Primary Health Care Corporation, Doha, Qatar1 Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar5 Laboratory Section, Medical Commission Department, Ministry of Public Health, Doha, Qatar1 Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar1 Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar1 Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar1 Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar1 Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar5 Laboratory Section, Medical Commission Department, Ministry of Public Health, Doha, Qatar5 Laboratory Section, Medical Commission Department, Ministry of Public Health, Doha, Qatar5 Laboratory Section, Medical Commission Department, Ministry of Public Health, Doha, Qatar7 Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar7 Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar8 Ministry of Public Health Qatar, Doha, Qatar8 Ministry of Public Health Qatar, Doha, Qatar8 Ministry of Public Health Qatar, Doha, Qatar7 Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar7 Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar7 Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar9 Qatar Red Crescent Society, Doha, Qatar9 Qatar Red Crescent Society, Doha, Qatar9 Qatar Red Crescent Society, Doha, Qatar9 Qatar Red Crescent Society, Doha, Qatar9 Qatar Red Crescent Society, Doha, Qatar9 Qatar Red Crescent Society, Doha, Qatar9 Qatar Red Crescent Society, Doha, Qatar9 Qatar Red Crescent Society, Doha, Qatar9 Qatar Red Crescent Society, Doha, Qatar9 Qatar Red Crescent Society, Doha, Qatar9 Qatar Red Crescent Society, Doha, Qatar9 Qatar Red Crescent Society, Doha, Qatar9 Qatar Red Crescent Society, Doha, Qatar9 Qatar Red Crescent Society, Doha, Qatar9 Qatar Red Crescent Society, Doha, Qatar9 Qatar Red Crescent Society, Doha, Qatar9 Qatar Red Crescent Society, Doha, Qatar7 Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar8 Ministry of Public Health Qatar, Doha, QatarObjectives Scant data are available on syphilis infection within migrant populations worldwide and in the population of the Middle East and North Africa region. This study investigated the prevalence of both lifetime and recent syphilis infections among migrant craft and manual workers (MCMWs) in Qatar, a diverse demographic representing 60% of the country’s population.Methods Sera specimens collected during a nationwide cross-sectional survey of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among the MCMW population, conducted between 26 July and 9 September 2020, were analysed. Treponema pallidum antibodies were detected using the Mindray CL-900i Chemiluminescence Immunoassay Analyzer. To differentiate recent infections, rapid plasma reagin (RPR) testing was performed, with an RPR titre of ≥1:8 considered indicative of recent infection. Logistic regression analyses were employed to identify factors associated with lifetime syphilis infection. Sampling weights were incorporated into all statistical analyses to obtain population-level estimates.Results T. pallidum antibodies were identified in 38 of the 2528 tested sera specimens. Prevalence of lifetime infection was estimated at 1.3% (95% CI 0.9% to 1.8%). Among the 38 treponemal-positive specimens, 15 were reactive by RPR, with three having titres ≥1:8, indicating recent infection. Prevalence of recent infection was estimated at 0.09% (95% CI 0.01 to 0.3%). Among treponemal-positive MCMWs, the estimated proportion with recent infection was 8.1% (95% CI: 1.7 to 21.4%). The adjusted OR for lifetime infection increased with age, reaching 8.68 (95% CI 2.58 to 29.23) among those aged ≥60 years compared with those ≤29 years of age. Differences in prevalence were observed by nationality and occupation, but no differences were found by educational attainment or geographic location.Conclusions Syphilis prevalence among MCMWs in Qatar is consistent with global levels, highlighting a disease burden with implications for health and social well-being. These findings underscore the need for programmes addressing both sexually transmitted infections and the broader sexual health needs of this population.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/11/e083810.full
spellingShingle Hiam Chemaitelly
Houssein H Ayoub
Hanan F Abdul Rahim
Abdullatif Al Khal
Einas Al Kuwari
Roberto Bertollini
Peter Coyle
Andrew Jeremijenko
Anvar Hassan Kaleeckal
Gheyath K Nasrallah
Hadi M Yassine
Hamad Eid Al Romaihi
Mohammed H Al-Thani
Mohamed Ghaith Al-Kuwari
Asmaa A Al Thani
Ahmed Ismail Ahmed Ismail
Duaa W Al-Sadeq
Fathima H Amanullah
Jawaher A Al-Emadi
Hadiya M Khalid
Parveen B Nizamuddin
Ibrahim Al-Shaar
Ibrahim W Karimeh
Mutaz M Ali
Sami Abdeen
Ashraf Abdelkarim
Faisal Daraan
Ahmed Ibrahim Hashim Elhaj Ismail
Nahid Mostafa
Mohamed Sahl
Jinan Suliman
Elias Tayar
Hasan Ali Kasem
Meynard J A Agsalog
Bassam K Akkarathodiyil
Ayat A Alkhalaf
Mohamed Morhaf M H Alakshar
Abdulsalam Ali A H Al-Qahtani
Monther H A Al-Shedifat
Anas Ansari
Ahmad Ali Ataalla
Sandeep Chougule
Abhilash K K V Gopinathan
Feroz J Poolakundan
Sanjay U Ranbhise
Saed M A Saefan
Mohamed M Thaivalappil
Abubacker S Thoyalil
Inayath M Umar
Odette Chaghoury
Elmoubasher Farag
Prevalence of syphilis infection among migrant workers in Qatar: a nationwide cross-sectional survey
BMJ Open
title Prevalence of syphilis infection among migrant workers in Qatar: a nationwide cross-sectional survey
title_full Prevalence of syphilis infection among migrant workers in Qatar: a nationwide cross-sectional survey
title_fullStr Prevalence of syphilis infection among migrant workers in Qatar: a nationwide cross-sectional survey
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence of syphilis infection among migrant workers in Qatar: a nationwide cross-sectional survey
title_short Prevalence of syphilis infection among migrant workers in Qatar: a nationwide cross-sectional survey
title_sort prevalence of syphilis infection among migrant workers in qatar a nationwide cross sectional survey
url https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/11/e083810.full
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