Prevalence, risk factors and association with delivery outcome of curable sexually transmitted infections among pregnant women in Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction Curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as infection with Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N. gonorrhoeae), and Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) can lead to adverse pregnancy and birth outcome. There are limited data on the prevalence and correlate of STI in Ethiopia, yet pregnant women are not screened for curable STI. Hence in this study, the prevalence of STIs and associated risk factors were assessed. Methodology A cross- sectional study was conducted on consecutive women attending the delivery ward at the Hawassa comprehensive and specialized hospital. Vaginal swabs collected at the time of labor and delivery were tested for C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae and T. vaginalis using GeneXpert. Study participants responded to a questionnaire about their previous and current obstetric history and socio-demographic characteristics. Possible independent factors for curable STIs were assessed by chi-square, bivariable, and multivariable, logistic regression. Results Of the 350 vaginal swabs tested, 51 (14.6%, 95% CI: 10.9–18.3) were positive for one or more curable STIs. The prevalence of C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae and T. vaginalis were 8.3%, 4.3%, and 3.1%, respectively. STIs was associated (p<0.005) with the delivery outcomes birth weight and gestational age. A 3-fold increase in odds of acquisition STIs was found in currently unmarried women (AOR, 3.5; 95% CI: 1.1–10.4; p = 0.028), in women <25 years (AOR, 2.7; 95% CI 1.1–6.6; p = 0.031). Women reporting presence of vaginal discharge (AOR, 7.7; 95% CI: 3.2–18.6; p < 0.001) and reporting pain during urination (AOR, 6.5; 95% CI: 2.6–16.2; p <0.001) found to associate with curable STIs. Conclusion The higher magnitude of STIs found in this population, and the absence of symptoms in many illustrate the need for systematic follow-up during routine antenatal care primarily history taking and asking for signs and symptoms to provide early management and avoid long term sequelae.

Trichomonas vaginalis infection in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…These are Oromia, [21][22][23][24] Amhara, 19,25,26 Addis Ababa, 20,27 and South Nation, Nationalities and People (SNNP). 28 These studies used different diagnostic methods that include wet-mount microscopy, Giemsa staining, culture, and trichomonas rapid diagnostic test to detect T. vaginalis (Table1).…”

Vulvovaginitis Prevalence Among Women in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia: Special Emphasis on Aerobic Vaginitis Causing Bacterial Profile, Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern, and Associated Factors

“…28,29 As it is known, 90% of trichomoniasis are from resource-limited settings, specifically sub-Saharan countries. 30 Although population-based studies were lacking in Ethiopia, different studies reported different prevalences of T. vaginalis; 5.3% from Asella Teaching Hospital, central Ethiopia, 31 3.1% from Hawassa comprehensive and specialized hospital, Southern Ethiopia, 32 4.9% from Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia 33 and 2.1% from Felege Hiwot referral Hospital, Ethiopia: a cross sectional study. 13 Though the association of vaginitis with genital tract infection is a major problem globally, several studies on https://doi.org/10.2147/IDR.S337205…”

Self-reported syndromes of sexually transmitted infections and its associated factors among reproductive (15–49 years) age women in Ethiopia

“…As such women having history of termination of pregnancy have higher odds of self-reported STIs than their counterparts. This is supported by the study in Ethiopia [35]. This might be due to those women who had history of termination of pregnancy would have better access to reproductive health care service, sexual, and better understanding of symptoms of STIs.…”