Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of common sexually transmitted infections, including Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and herpes simplex virus (HSV), in Hangzhou, China. METHODS: An analysis was conducted on 12,505 patients who visited the outpatient department of Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province from 2018 to 2024. Urinary and reproductive swabs were collected, and the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) contents of UU, CT, NG, and HSV 1/2 were detected via real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Among 12,505 outpatients, the age-adjusted prevalence was 30.93% for UU, 10.33% for CT, 11.51% for NG, and 10.64% for HSV. UU infection is prevalent among individuals aged 20 to 59, whereas CT and NG infections are most commonly observed in the 15 to 19 age group. UU and HSV infections primarily affected women, whereas CT and NG infections were more prevalent among men. The prevalence of HSV-2 infection was significantly positively correlated with age. Additionally, co-infection with UU and CT (16.61‰) was the most prevalent. UU was positively associated with CT, CT was positively associated with NG, while UU was negatively associated with NG. The age-adjusted prevalence of CT and NG, as well as the age-adjusted prevalence of UU in women, declined significantly in 2020 and then gradually increased thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: This study furthers understanding of the epidemiological characteristics of UU, NG, CT, and HSV among outpatients in Hangzhou, providing a scientific basis for optimizing regional screening strategies and formulating effective prevention and control plans. CLINICAL TRIAL: Not applicable.