Background: Despite enormous sensitization and management options available for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the last 2 decades, these infections remain highly endemic in certain parts of Cameroon. This is a descriptive study of genital hygiene and predisposition to STIs in some women in Dschang, West Region, Cameroon. Materials and Methods: A total of 2172 consenting women seeking gynecological care at the Dschang District Hospital from 2009 to 2010 were interviewed, examined, cervical/blood specimens collected, and analyzed. Results: Inadequate healthcare systems; lack of reproductive health knowledge; vaginal washing with contaminated water or chemicals; contaminated sanitary towels or gynecologic equipment; unsterile sharps; dirty and damp lavatories; synthetic and tight underwear; multiple or concurrent sex partners; primitive traditions; myths; polygamous and inherited marriages; asymptomatic carriage of pathogens; self-medication; antibiotic abuse; traditional therapy; reinfections; poverty; poor sanitation; and illiteracy were related to genital conditions identi ied in 1466 (67%) study subjects, excluding 41 (2%) cases with human immunode iciency virus (HIV)/ acquired immunode iciency syndrome (AIDS) only. In total, 1353 (62%) patients were infectious cases, 113 (5%) had noninfectious vaginitis, 171 (8%) were positive for HIV/AIDS serology, with 6% having concurrent genital infections. Of the 1507 patients diagnosed with STIs, 62% were symptomatic and 7% asymptomatic comprising 5% convalescent and 2% healthy carriers. Bacterial vaginosis 24%, vaginal candidiasis 18%, chlamydia 15%, and active syphilis 11% predominated over trichomonas, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, herpes, and warts with rates ≤1%. Conclusion: In mitigation, hand washing, clean toilets, sexual behaviors that contribute to STIs, delay sexual debut, condom usage, rational employment of examination methods, improved medical diagnostics testing both men and women, attitude change and prevention education were emphasized on.

Health promotion and education, wide coverage and pinpointing impediments to the realization of prevailing measures are among primary interventions for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This work sought to establish STIs burden and related risk factors in women consulting gynecologists and general practitioners in some health centres in Dschang, Cameroon. For seven consecutive months, in a cross-sectional study, 1009 heterosexual women were examined; 353 (35%) symptomatic patients aged 15-46 years (mean 31±3.3years) consented and were interviewed using a questionnaire. Vaginitis was diagnosed by symptoms, positive cultures, and testing of blood and cervical specimens for antibodies to Treponema pallidum and Chlamydia trachomatis respectively. Infections recorded 45% under gynecological care and 14% for general consultations (p< 0.001), with an alarming 84% of general consultation cases without any intention of STIs screens or having future gynecologic appointments. Multiple sexual partners, early sexual debut, poverty, poor sanitation, recurrent infections, tight underwear, no barrier protection or irregular condom use and using chemicals in the vagina were recorded risks. Infectious vaginitis was identified in 300 (30%) patients, 53(5%) cases were non -infectious and 60% had multiple infections. Bacterial vaginosis (28%) and vaginal candidiasis (21%) predominated. Rates for C. trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, Phthirus pubis, infectious syphilis, genital warts and genital herpes were < 2%. The present findings portrayed: STIs not given prime consideration under general practice, and a rising trend for non-traditional genital diseases due to poor hygiene and reproductive health knowledge deficiency. Health and sanitary campaigns, and mandatory gynecological exams for individuals of reproductive age were inevitable.