Coinfections of malaria and sexually transmitted and reproductive tract infections in pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis protocol

Abstract

Introduction: Malaria infection and curable sexually transmitted infections and reproductive tract infections (STIs/RTIs) adversely impact pregnancy outcomes. In sub-Saharan Africa, the prevalence of malaria and curable STIs/RTIs is high and, where coinfection is common, combination interventions may be needed to improve pregnancy outcomes. The aim of this systematic review is to estimate the prevalence of malaria and curable STI/RTI coinfection during pregnancy, risk factors for coinfection and prevalence of associated adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods and analysis: We will use three electronic databases, PubMed, EMBASE and Malaria in Pregnancy Library to identify studies involving pregnant women attending routine antenatal care facilities in sub-Saharan Africa and reporting malaria and curable STI/RTI test results, published in any language since 2000. We will search databases in the second quarter of 2023 and repeat the search before completion of our analyses. The first two authors will screen titles and abstracts, selecting studies that meet inclusion criteria and qualify for full-text screening. If agreement on inclusion/exclusion cannot be reached, the last author will serve as arbiter. We will extract data from eligible publications for a study-level meta-analysis. We will contact research groups of included studies and request individual participant data for meta-analysis. The first two authors will conduct a quality appraisal of included studies using the GRADE system. The last author will adjudicate if the first two authors do not agree on any appraisals. We will conduct sensitivity analyses to test the robustness of effect estimates over time (by decade and half-decade periods), geography (East/Southern Africa vs West/Central Africa), gravidity (primigravidae, secundigravidae, multigravidae), treatment type and dosing frequency, and malaria transmission intensity.

Ethics and dissemination: We obtained ethics approval from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM Ethics Ref: 26167). Results of this study will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publication and presentation at scientific conferences.

Prospero registration number: CRD42021224294.

Keywords: Malaria; Sexually Transmitted Disease; Systematic Review.