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. 2024 Nov 27;14(11):e083810.
doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-083810.

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

Gheyath K Nasrallah  1   2 , Hiam Chemaitelly  3   4 , Ahmed Ismail Ahmed Ismail  5 , Duaa W Al-Sadeq  6 , Fathima H Amanullah  6   2 , Jawaher A Al-Emadi  6 , Hadiya M Khalid  6   2 , Parveen B Nizamuddin  6   2 , Ibrahim Al-Shaar  5 , Ibrahim W Karimeh  5 , Mutaz M Ali  5 , Houssein H Ayoub  7 , Sami Abdeen  8 , Ashraf Abdelkarim  8 , Faisal Daraan  9 , Ahmed Ibrahim Hashim Elhaj Ismail  9 , Nahid Mostafa  9 , Mohamed Sahl  8   9 , Jinan Suliman  8 , Elias Tayar  8 , Hasan Ali Kasem  10 , Meynard J A Agsalog  10 , Bassam K Akkarathodiyil  10 , Ayat A Alkhalaf  10 , Mohamed Morhaf M H Alakshar  10 , Abdulsalam Ali A H Al-Qahtani  10 , Monther H A Al-Shedifat  10 , Anas Ansari  10 , Ahmad Ali Ataalla  10 , Sandeep Chougule  10 , Abhilash K K V Gopinathan  10 , Feroz J Poolakundan  10 , Sanjay U Ranbhise  10 , Saed M A Saefan  10 , Mohamed M Thaivalappil  10 , Abubacker S Thoyalil  10 , Inayath M Umar  10 , Einas Al Kuwari  8 , Peter Coyle  6   8   11 , Andrew Jeremijenko  8 , Anvar Hassan Kaleeckal  8 , Hanan F Abdul Rahim  12 , Hadi M Yassine  6   2 , Asmaa A Al Thani  6   2 , Odette Chaghoury  8 , Mohamed Ghaith Al-Kuwari  13 , Elmoubasher Farag  9 , Roberto Bertollini  9 , Hamad Eid Al Romaihi  9 , Abdullatif Al Khal  8 , Mohammed H Al-Thani  9 , Laith J Abu-Raddad  14   4   12   15
Affiliations

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

Gheyath K Nasrallah et al. BMJ Open. .

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Epidemiology; Sexually Transmitted Disease; Syphilis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Prevalence of lifetime syphilis infection by nationality group among the craft and manual worker population in Qatar.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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