Phase-out of smallpox vaccination and the female/male HIV-1 prevalence ratio: an ecological study from Guinea-Bissau.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:In Guinea-Bissau, West Africa, we observed that having a smallpox vaccination scar was associated with lower HIV-1 prevalence, more strongly for women than men. If this represents a causal effect, the female/male HIV-1 prevalence ratio would increase for birth cohorts no longer receiving smallpox vaccination due to the phase-out of this vaccine. DESIGN:An ecological design using HIV surveys and information about smallpox vaccination coverage. SETTING:Urban and rural Guinea-Bissau. PARTICIPANTS:Participants in HIV surveys were grouped into an age group with decreasing smallpox vaccination coverage (15-34 years) and an age group with steady smallpox vaccination coverage (≥35 years). INTERVENTIONS:The exposure of interest was the phase-out of the smallpox vaccine in Guinea-Bissau. P

SUBMITTER: Rieckmann A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6830606 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature