The burden and risk factors of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Reproductive Tract Infections among pregnant women in Zimbabwe

Abstract

BackgroundSexually transmitted infections (STIs) and Reproductive tract infections (RTIs) are responsible for high morbidity among women. We aim to quantify the magnitude of the burden and risk factors of STI/RTI s among pregnant women in Zimbabwe.MethodsA cross sectional study of pregnant women enrolled at 36 weeks of gestation from the national PMTCT program. Study was conducted from three peri-urban clinics around Harare Zimbabwe offering maternal and child health services.ResultsA total of 691 pregnant women were enrolled. Prevalence of HSV was (51.1%), HIV (25.6%) syphilis (1.2%), Trichomonas vaginalis (11.8%), bacterial vaginosis (32.6%) and Candidiasis (39.9%). Seven percent of the women had genital warts, 3% had genital ulcers and 28% had an abnormal vaginal discharge. Prevalence of serological STIs and vaginal infections were 51% and 64% respectively.Risk factors for a positive serologic STI were increasing age above 30 years, polygamy and multigravid; adjusted OR (95% CI) 2.61(1.49-4.59), 2.16(1.06-4.39), 3.89(1.27-11.98) respectively, partner taking alcohol and number of lifetime sexual partners. For vaginal infections it was age at sexual debut; OR (95% CI) 1.60(1.06-2.42). More than 25% of the women reported previous STI treatment. Fifty two percent reported ever use of condoms and 65% were on oral contraceptives. Mean age gap for sexual partners was 6.3 years older.ConclusionsThere is a high morbidity of STI/RTIs in this cohort. There is need to continuously screen, counsel, treat and monitor trends of STI/RTIs to assess if behaviour changes lead to reduction in infections and their sustainability.

Prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis in Pregnant Women in Zanjan, Northwest of Iran

“…Differences in the infection rates were not significant among different education levels, income levels and occupation. Similar to other studies, increased rate of the infection was associated with raising age (11). This may be due to more sexual contact with increasing age.…”

“…Some comparative studies showed that the pregnant women with trichomoniasis have 30% higher risk of delivering baby with low birth weight or delivering preterm than those without the infection (26). Also more prevalence of some STIs has been reported from pregnant women in some areas (11,29); alteration of vaginal flora during pregnancy may be of relevant consecutive concerns (30). These indicate the importance of trichomoniasis in this group of women.…”

“…25% in USA, 16-74% in African countries (22), 3.4-3.8% in Turkey and 5.1% in India (22). High prevalence of the infection also observed in pregnant women of other countries; 20% in America (23), 17.3-18% in Africa (11,17), 12.1% in HIV-1 infected pregnant women in Europe (24) and 9.8% in immunocompetent pregnant women in Havana (25). We believed that the prevalence rates during pregnancy vary in the different published papers according to the populations examined.…”

Mother’s Experiences with Cut380a Postpartum Intrauterine Contraceptive Device in Enugu, Southeast, Nigeria

“…PPIUD expulsion, missing strings, infection and its other complications are minimal when the IUD is inserted aseptically by a skilled provider with proper techniques and by placing the device in the uterine fundus [18]. The higher incidence of untreated reproductive tract infections in many developing countries is a serious concern in the provision of PPIUD [19,20]. The use of prophylactic antibiotics was suggested by Muthal-Rathore [21] in prolonged labour and prolonged rupture of membranes.…”

Trichomoniasis in Pregnant Sudanese Pregnant Women at Tertiary Obstetric Facility, Khartoum, Sudan

“…In our study the history of sexual transmitted infections and received treatment was 14.5% compared to 25% in a study in Zimbabwe [12].…”