High prevalence of sexually transmitted infections in pregnant women living in southern Brazil

Abstract Background Yunnan has the highest rates of HIV in the country. Other treatable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are associated with accelerated HIV transmission and poor ART outcomes, but are only diagnosed by syndromic algorithms. Methods We recruited 406 HIV-positive participants for a cross-sectional study (204 ART-naive and 202 ART). Blood samples and first-voided urine samples were collected. Real-time polymerase chain reaction methods were used for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG). Syphilis and HSV-2 tests were also performed. Results Among 406 participants, the overall prevalence of STI was 47.0% and 45.1% in ART-naive individuals and 49.0% in ART individuals, respectively. Testing frequency was 11.6% (11.8% vs 11.4%), 33.2% (29.4% vs 37.1%), 3.2% (3.4% vs 3.0%), 2.0% (3.4% vs 0.5%) and 4.7% (6.4% vs 3.0%) for active syphilis, HSV-2, chlamydia, gonorrhoeae and genitalium. Percentage of multiple infections in both groups was 10.8% (22/204) in ART-naive participants and 9.9% (20/202) in ART participants. Females, age between 18 to 35 years, ever injected drugs, homosexual or bisexual, HIV/HBV coinfection, and not receiving ART were identified as risk factors. Self-reported asymptom was not eliminating of having a laboratory-diagnosed STI. Conclusions STI prevalence was 47.0% (45.1% vs 49.0%), HSV-2, syphilis and MG were the most common STIs in HIV-infected individuals. We found high prevalence (6.4%) of Mycoplasma genitalium in ART-naive individuals. ART can reduce the diversity of STI-HIV coinfection but not the prevalence. HIV-positive individuals tend to neglect or maybe hide their genital tract discomfort, thus we suggest strengthening STI joint screening and treatment services among HIV-infected individuals whether they describe genital tract discomfort or not.

Download Full-text

Sexually Transmitted Infections in Pregnant Women: Integrating Screening and Treatment into Prenatal Care

Pediatric Drugs ◽

10.1007/s40272-018-0310-4 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 20 (6) ◽

pp. 501-509 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Harold J. Lochner ◽

Nizar F. Maraqa

Keyword(s):

Prenatal Care ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

Sexually Transmitted

Download Full-text

Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in West Coast Region of The Gambia

African Health Sciences ◽

10.4314/ahs.v21i2.13 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 585-592

Author(s):

Alphonsus Isara ◽

Aru-Kumba Baldeh

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

West Coast ◽

Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽

The Gambia ◽

Age Group ◽

The West ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Neisseria Gonorrhoea ◽

Coast Region

Background: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) are the second most common cause of healthy life years lost by women in the 15 – 44 years age group in Africa. Aim/Objective: To determine the prevalence of STIs among pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) clinics in the West Coast Region of The Gambia. Materials and Methods: Blood, urine, and high vaginal swabs samples from 280 pregnant women attending ANC in Brika- ma District Hospital, Brikama, and Bandung Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Bandung were examined. Serum samples were tested for HIV using western blot technique and for syphilis using the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test, and rapid plasma regimen. Candida albicans, Group B Streptococcus and Neisseria gonorrhoea were identified using Analytical Profile Index (API). Direct urine microscopy was used to identify C. albicans and Trichomonas vaginalis while Chlamydia trachomatis was identified using Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA) test. Results: The overall prevalence of STIs was 53.6%. The pathogenic agents isolated were Candida albicans (31.8%), Strep- tococcus agalactiae (15.0%), Treponema pallidum (6.8%), HIV (5.7%), Trichomonas vaginalis (3.9%), Neisseria gonorrhoea (1.8%) and Chlamydia trachomatis (0.7%). STIs were more prevalent among women in the younger age group of 15 – 24 years (54.7%), unemployed (54.0%), Primipara (62.3%), and in the third trimester of pregnancy (72.7%). Conclusion: A high prevalence of STIs was found among pregnant women attending ANC in the West Coast region of The Gambia. Public health intervention programmes should be strengthened to promote the sexual and reproductive health of pregnant women in The Gambia. Keywords: Sexually transmitted infections; pregnant women; antenatal clinics; The Gambia.

Download Full-text

Erratum - Prevalence of Curable Sexually Transmitted Infections in Pregnant Women in Low- and Middle-Income Countries From 2010 to 2015

Sexually Transmitted Diseases ◽

10.1097/olq.0000000000001172 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 47 (5) ◽

pp. e11-e13

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

Middle Income ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Low And Middle Income

Download Full-text

Low prevalence of HIV and other selected sexually transmitted infections in 2004 in pregnant women from Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268807009818 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 136 (9) ◽

pp. 1290-1296 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

R. KINOSHITA-MOLEKA ◽

J. S. SMITH ◽

J. ATIBU ◽

A. TSHEFU ◽

J. HEMINGWAY-FODAY ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

Hiv Transmission ◽

Democratic Republic ◽

Male Partner ◽

Treponema Pallidum ◽

Syphilis Infection ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Republic Of The Congo ◽

Low Prevalence

SUMMARYThis study examined the prevalence of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in pregnant women in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Between April and July 2004, antenatal attendees at two of the largest maternity clinics in Kinshasa were tested to identify HIV status, syphilis, Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG). HIV seroprevalence was 1·9% in 2082 women. With PCR techniques, CT and NG infections were also uncommon in the first 529 women (1·7% and 0·4%, respectively). No active syphilis infection case was identified by Treponema pallidum haemagglutination assay (TPHA) and rapid plasma reagin test (RPR). A woman's risk of HIV infection was significantly associated with her reporting a male partner having had other female sexual partners (OR 2·7, 95% CI 1·2–6·2). The continuing low seroprevalence of HIV in pregnant women from Kinshasa was confirmed. Understanding factors associated with this phenomenon could help prevent a future HIV epidemic in low HIV transmission areas in Africa.

Download Full-text