Background: The HPV vaccine is used as one of the main prevention tools for HPV-related cancers globally, yet it is not part of the Indian National Immunization program. In light of the introduction of the indigenous vaccine, we examine the effectiveness of health education about uptake, acceptance, and awareness.Methods: Research was performed in the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and Embase to identify studies between 2008 and 2022. Studies were included if: they were conducted in India including primary data research and health education intervention, and participants were between 9 and 29 years old.Results: Out of the 10.952 results, 7 studies were included. Four studies focused on adolescent girls, aged from 9 to 20 years old, and 3 on university students aged from 17 to 26 years. Five studies were implemented in urban areas and 2 in rural areas. Health education interventions proved to be effective in increasing uptake, awareness, and acceptance of the HPV vaccine. The barriers included among others: cost, lack of awareness, and cultural barriers.Conclusion: Observations from this study outline immediate action for policymakers to educate and encourage the young population toward HPV vaccination. Future programs should be aimed at different population groups and be adjusted according to their special characteristics and needs. Attention should be given to the male population and marginalized groups. The involvement of various stakeholders proved to be beneficial, and it is highly recommended.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) jeopardizes the effectiveness of essential antimicrobial agents in treating infectious diseases. Accelerated by human activities, AMR is prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya, due to indiscriminate antibiotic use and limited diagnostics. This study aimed to assess Kenya’s AMR efforts through a situational analysis of policy efficacy, interventions, and implementation, culminating in recommendations for strengthening mitigation. Employing two methodologies, this study evaluated Kenya’s AMR endeavors. A systematic scoping review summarized AMR dynamic, and an expert validated the findings, providing an on-the-ground perspective. Antibiotic resistance is driven by factors including widespread misuse in human medicine due to irrational practices, consumer demand, and substandard antibiotics. Heavy antibiotic use in the agricultural sector leads to contamination of the food chain. The National Action Plan (NAP) reflects a One Health approach, yet decentralized healthcare and funding gaps hinder its execution. Although AMR surveillance includes multiple facets, diagnostic deficiencies persist. Expert insights recognize proactive NAP but underscore implementation obstacles. Kenya grapples with escalating resistance, but commendable policy efforts exist. However, fragmented implementations and complexities persist. Addressing this global threat demands investment in healthcare infrastructure, diagnostics, international partnerships, and sustainable strategies.

Chlamydia trachomatis (hereafter CT) is Gram-negative, obligate intracellular pathogen. It causes the world's most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease. India is home to the world's greatest burden of infectious diseases, yet information on prevalence rates of CT is scarce. This article systematically reviews the literature for the prevalence rates and testing methods in India. A total of 27 studies were included. Four main patients groups (symptomatic women, infertile women, pregnant women and asymptomatic population groups) could be identified with varying rates of CT (0.1%–32% using PCR, 2.4%–75% using ELISA serology). Most of the studies originated from urban settings, 11 of them from New Delhi. In-house PCR was the most common diagnostic technique used generating the following ranges in prevalence for the four group studies: symptomatic women 10%–50%, pregnant women 0.1%–2.5% and asymptomatic populations 0.9%–24.5%. The rates among infertile women were 9%–68% based on serology results. The prevalence rates featured in this paper are in line with other locations across the Indian subcontinent. This review highlights the extreme heterogeneity in the limited studies available in India on CT and the need for standardized guidelines for diagnosis and management of CT in India. The availability of resources should be considered in the formulation of recommendations.

Cervical cancer, along with other sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) conditions, poses a significant burden in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Despite the availability of effective preventive methods such as vaccinations, particularly against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), awareness about such preventive methods and HPV vaccination remains alarmingly low in the KSA, even with governmental effort and support. While many women are aware of the risks, the uptake of the HPV vaccine remains below 10% (7.6%) at the country level. This highlights the urgent need for Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) at the community level to raise awareness, dispel misconceptions, and empower women to embrace vaccinations. Additionally, there is a need to revitalize the cancer registry system to better track and monitor cervical cancer cases. This short communication aims to map these barriers while identifying opportunities for impactful research. Drawing from the scientific literature, government reports, and expert insights, we highlight the challenges surrounding the tackling of HPV. By exploring diverse sources of knowledge, this paper not only highlights current obstacles but also proposes actionable solutions for future interventions.

Chlamydia trachomatis is the world's most prevalent bacterial Sexually Transmitted infection (STI). It is associated with a wide range of health consequences and sequelae in both the short and long term. Enhanced control of urogenital C. trachomatis infection is particularly important in low- and middle-income countries such as India, where most of the burden goes unnoticed and where limited systematic data is available to gauge the current situation. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently issued its latest strategy on STIs, which is aligned with the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Taking the WHO framework into account; this paper puts forward an integrated care model to strengthen the management and control of C. trachomatis in India. The model is compiled of five key components of STI management (awareness, prevention diagnosis, treatment and follow-up). The model considers barriers to effective C. trachomatis control into account. The barriers are discussed and compiled into different categories. A roadmap for the implementation of other similar models to enhance C. trachomatis control in the future is provided.

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), like Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (CT and NG, respectively) are linked to an important sexual and reproductive health (SRH) burden worldwide. Behavior is an important predictor for SRH, as it dictates the risk for STIs. Assessing the behavior of a population helps to assess its risk profile. Methods: Study participants were recruited at a gynecology outpatient department (OPD) in the Allahabad district in Uttar Pradesh India, and a questionnaire was used to assess demographics, SRH, and obstetric history. Patients provided three samples (urine, vaginal swab, and whole blood). These samples were used to identify CT and NG using PCR/NAAT and CT IgG ELISA. Results: A total of 296 women were included for testing; mean age was 29 years. No positive cases of CT and NG were observed using PCR/NAAT. A 7% (22/296) positivity rate for CT was observed using IgG ELISA. No positive association was found between serology and symptoms (vaginal discharge, abdominal pain, dysuria, and dyspareunia) or adverse pregnancy outcomes (miscarriage and stillbirth). Positive relations with CT could be observed with consumption of alcohol, illiteracy, and tenesmus (p-value 0.02–0.03). Discussion: STI prevalence in this study was low, but a high burden of SRH morbidity was observed, with a high symptomatic load. High rates of miscarriage (31%) and stillbirth (8%) were also observed among study subjects. No associations could be found between these ailments and CT infection. These rates are high even for low- and middle-income country standards. Conclusion: This study puts forward high rates of SRH morbidity, and instances of adverse reproductive health outcomes are highlighted in this study, although no associations with CT infection could be found. This warrants more investigation into the causes leading to these complaints in the Indian scenario and potential biases to NAAT testing, such as consumption of over-the-counter antimicrobials.