SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES IN BRAZIL: EPIDEMIOLOGICAL EVALUATION

Abstract

Introduction: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) represent a major public health problem worldwide, including in Brazil. The increasing incidence of these diseases has been associated with several factors, such as changes in sexual behavior, inadequate condom use, and increased vulnerability of certain population groups. In the Brazilian context, cultural diversity, social inequalities, and the complexity of the health system contribute to the dynamics of STDs, becoming a challenge for public health. Understanding the epidemiology of STDs in the country is essential for the development of effective prevention and control strategies. Objective: To synthesize the available epidemiological data on sexually transmitted diseases in Brazil. Methodology: The literature review used the PubMed, Scielo, and Web of Science databases to search for articles published in the last 10 years. The descriptors used were: “Sexually transmitted infections”, “Country”, “Prevalence”, “Predisposition”, “Patterns”. The studies included were those that presented original data on the epidemiology of STDs in Brazil. Review studies, case reports, studies with other infectious diseases and studies that did not use adequate epidemiological methodology were excluded. Results: Fifteen studies were selected. The included studies showed great heterogeneity regarding methodology, study period and case definition. The results found suggest that STDs continue to be a relevant public health problem in Brazil, with reporting rates varying between different regions and population groups. The main risk factors identified in the studies include multiple sexual partners, inadequate condom use, drug use and social vulnerability. In addition, the studies demonstrated that the prevalence of co-infections, such as HIV and viral hepatitis, is high among individuals infected with STDs. Conclusion: The heterogeneity of the data found highlights the need for more robust and standardized epidemiological studies to better understand the epidemiology of STDs in the country. The results of this review highlight the importance of implementing strategies for the prevention and control of STDs, focusing on promoting sexual health, access to health services and strengthening epidemiological surveillance.