A comprehensive meta-analysis spanning six decades of epidemiological data reveals that Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection affects 3.2% of the general population across sub-Saharan Africa, yet this aggregate figure masks alarming disparities within key populations. The systematic review, synthesizing 1,604 prevalence measures from 950 publications, found infection rates reaching 51.5% among symptomatic men and 11.5% among female sex workers, underscoring profound equity gaps in disease burden.
Beyond prevalence concerns, the analysis highlights a critical public health threat: rising antimicrobial resistance that jeopardizes treatment efficacy across the region. Diagnostic gaps and limited access to testing compound transmission risks, particularly among populations bearing disproportionate infection burdens. These findings underscore the urgent need for strengthened surveillance systems, expanded diagnostic capacity, and targeted prevention strategies tailored to high-burden populations.
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