Awareness of Pregnancy Screening for Group B Streptococcus Infection Among Women of Reproductive Age and Physicians in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

BackgroundGroup B Streptococcus is part of the normal flora of the female urogenital tract and rectum. Vaginal colonization and transmission of this bacteria during delivery can lead to neonatal life-threatening complications, which can be prevented by screening and the administration of intrapartum antibiotics. This study's aim was to assess the level of awareness of antenatal screening of Group B Streptococcus among women and physicians in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. MethodsA cross-sectional study using an online survey from a previously published study was distributed among 767 participants in Jeddah from June to August 2020. The participants were family medicine or obstetrics and gynecology physicians and women of reproductive age. ResultsOur results revealed a good level of knowledge of the physicians, although almost half of them reported the need for training to correctly perform screenings. The level of the women's knowledge was relatively poor, their mean knowledge was 50.7%, and the majority were unaware of this infection (85.3%). ConclusionsThis study found a low level of knowledge of Group B Streptococcus among women of reproductive age and physicians in obstetrics and gynecology and family medicine. These findings confirm the importance of increasing the awareness of Group B Streptococcus among these populations to avoid complications associated with this infection.

Factors Affecting Awareness of Pregnancy Screening for Group B Streptococcus Infection Among Women of Reproductive Age in Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia

“…11 Invasive infections cause more than 1.4 million neonatal deaths each year, and in Saudi Arabia, the rate ranges from 9.2% to 31.6%, depending on the region. 7,10,12 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends regular screening of pregnant women between 35 and 37 weeks to detect colonized mothers and treat those infected with antibiotics. 7,13 For GBS pregnancy screening, universal culture-based and risk-based screening are viable options.…”

“…7,10,12 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends regular screening of pregnant women between 35 and 37 weeks to detect colonized mothers and treat those infected with antibiotics. 7,13 For GBS pregnancy screening, universal culture-based and risk-based screening are viable options. 3 Reducing the occurrence of early-onset neonatal sepsis and preventing death are related to a universal culture-based screening program and early delivery of intrapartum antibiotics.…”

“…Although late-onset infections can occur up to three months after birth, most neonatal GBS diseases are caused by infections that manifest during the first week of life. 7 It is well-established that GBS significantly contributes to neonatal sepsis. 7 , 8 Pneumonia, dyspnea, and other indications of sepsis are common in newborns with GBS disease during the first 48 hours after birth; meningitis is less common in early-onset infections.…”

“… 7 It is well-established that GBS significantly contributes to neonatal sepsis. 7 , 8 Pneumonia, dyspnea, and other indications of sepsis are common in newborns with GBS disease during the first 48 hours after birth; meningitis is less common in early-onset infections. 2 , 9 There is also a high probability of complications with the heart, blood pressure, gastrointestinal system, and kidneys.…”

Quality assessment of clinical practice guidelines for neonatal sepsis using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II Instrument: A systematic review of neonatal guidelines

“…At present, there is no unified national CPG in Saudi Arabia for the management of sepsis ( 15 ). Furthermore, GBS screening for pregnant women is not a standard of care in Saudi Arabia yet ( 16 ). A recent cohort study identified the risk for early NS in Saudi Arabia to be 0.5/1,000 live births ( 17 ).…”