A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis and syphilis in Europe - Technical report

Sep 22, 2026

A systematic review and meta-analysis assess the prevalence of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis and syphilis across Europe using a registered PROSPERO protocol. The work describes eligibility criteria, information retrieval, data extraction, quality assessment and evidence synthesis, while documenting deviations from the protocol. Results compile study selection and characteristics and present condition-specific prevalence estimates for each infection. Funding, conflicts of interest, acknowledgements and a suggested citation are provided.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages100

Reading Time4 h 12 min

AccessFree to download

Executive summary

Background

Review methods

Eligibility criteria

Information retrieval

Data extraction

Quality assessment

Evidence synthesis

Deviations from the review protocol

Review results

Study selection

Study characteristics

Chlamydia prevalence estimates

Gonorrhoea prevalence estimates

Trichomoniasis prevalence estimates

Syphilis prevalence estimates

Discussion

Conclusions

TECHNICAL REPORT A systematic review and metaanalysis of the prevalence of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis and syphilis in Europe ECDC TECHNICAL REPORT A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis and syphilis in Europe This report was commissioned by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) through service contract No. ECD. NP/2023/DPR/26576, coordinated by Otilia Mårdh and produced by Gesundheit Österreich Forschungs-und Planungs GmbH. Authors: Ilonka Horváth, Dominika Mikšová, Richard Pentz, Ingrid Rosian-Schikuta, Tanja Schwarz and Isabel Soede. The following ECDC colleagues have contributed to this report by providing suggestions during the implementation of the project: Charlotte Deogan, Lina Nerlander and Anastasia Pharris. Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank Daniela Antony (GOEG) and Helena Simana (ECDC) for peer-reviewing the search strategy. Registration and protocol This review was registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42023492418) and the protocol is published therein. Support Funding was provided by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) . ECDC actively engaged in the review process by providing feedback on the search strategy and the protocol and clearance of the final report. Conflicts of interest The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. All co-authors have seen and agree with the contents of this review and there is no financial interest to report. Suggested citation: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis and syphilis in Europe. Stockholm: ECDC; 2024. Stockholm, September 2024 ISBN 978-92-9498-745-7 doi 10.2900/0805127 Catalogue number TQ-01-24-001-EN-N © European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 2024 Reproduction is authorised, provided the source is acknowledged. TECHNICAL REPORT A systematic review of the prevalence of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis, and syphilis in Europe Contents Contents................................................................................................................................................................ iii Abbreviations..........................................................................................................................................................6 Glossary .................................................................................................................................................................7 Executive summary .................................................................................................................................................1 1. Background ........................................................................................................................................................3 1.1 Rationale....................................................................................................................................................3 1.2 Objectives ..................................................................................................................................................3 1.3 Research questions .....................................................................................................................................4 2. Review methods .................................................................................................................................................5 2.1 Eligibility criteria .........................................................................................................................................5 2.2 Information retrieval...................................................................................................................................6 2.3 Data extraction..............

FAQs

What infections are covered in the review?

The review estimates the prevalence of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis and syphilis in Europe.

How was the review protocol handled?

The review was registered in PROSPERO and the protocol is published there; deviations from the protocol are documented.

What sections summarize the main findings?

The report provides prevalence estimates by infection type, including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis and syphilis.

Sep 22, 2026

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