Acceptability and feasibility of screening pregnant women for sexually transmitted infections in Rawalpindi, Pakistan

2021 ◽  
pp. 095646242110076
Author(s):  
Ameen E Chaudry ◽  
Rizwana Chaudhri ◽  
Aasia Kayani ◽  
Lamar W Hayes ◽  
Claire C Bristow ◽  
...  

Objectives: To understand the acceptability and feasibility of sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing during antenatal care, along with the prevalence of STIs, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Methods: We enrolled pregnant women seeking antenatal care and performed STI testing using Cepheid GeneXpert® CT/NG and TV kits and Alere Determine™ HIV and syphilis tests. We used interviewer-administered surveys to collect medical, social, and sexual histories. Participants testing positive for STIs and their partners were treated. Results: We enrolled 1001 women from September to December 2019. Nearly all women offered to participate in this study enrolled. Most women understood the effects an STI can have on their pregnancy (99.6%) and valued STI screening during pregnancy (98.1%). 11 women tested positive for any STI: ( Chlamydia trachomatis = 4, Neisseria gonorrhoeae = 1, and Trichomonas vaginalis = 6). Of those, six presented for a test-of-cure, and two were positive for Trichomonas vaginalis. None tested positive for HIV infection or syphilis ( n = 503). Conclusions: STI testing during antenatal care in Rawalpindi was acceptable, valued, understood, and feasible. The prevalence of STIs in pregnant women was low. Continued prevalence monitoring is warranted.

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Morikawa ◽  
M. Mudau ◽  
D. Olivier ◽  
L. de Vos ◽  
D. Joseph Davey ◽  
...  

Background. Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infections may increase the risk of vertical transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In resource-limited settings, symptomatic screening, and syndromic management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during pregnancy continue to be the standard of care. In the absence of diagnostic testing, asymptomatic infections in pregnant women go untreated. Objective. To describe the acceptability and feasibility of integrating diagnostic STI screening into first antenatal care visits for HIV-infected pregnant women. Methods. HIV-infected pregnant women were recruited during their first antenatal care visit from three antenatal care clinics in Tshwane District, South Africa, between June 2016 and October 2017. Self-collected vaginal swabs were used to screen for CT, NG, and TV with a diagnostic point-of-care (POC) nucleic acid amplification test. Those with STIs were provided treatment per South African national guidelines. Results. Of 442 eligible women, 430 (97.3%) agreed to participate and were tested. Of those with a positive STI test result (n = 173; 40.2%), 159 (91.9%) received same-day results and treatment; 100% of STI-infected women were treated within seven days. Conclusions. Integration of POC diagnostic STI screening into first-visit antenatal care services was feasible and highly acceptable for HIV-infected pregnant women.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rabi'at Aliyu Muhammad ◽  
Adebiyi Gbadebo Adesiyun ◽  
Shafaatu Ismail Sada ◽  
Shamsudin Aliyu ◽  
Abdulhakeem Abayomi Olorukooba

Abstract Background: Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is now being considered as an “obstetric pathogen” due to its potential in causing adverse pregnancy and perinatal outcomes. Consequent to being the commonest bacterial sexually transmitted infection, screening is recommended at the initial visit of antenatal care, but few countries have routine pregnancy screening and treatment programs. Prevalence assessment is a core component of the World Health Organisation sexually transmitted infection -surveillance programming which enables a country to monitor trends of this infection, for appropriate implementation of preventive measures. Aim: To determine the prevalence of Ct infection among pregnant women, and to describe sociodemographic characteristics and reproductive profile of seropositive pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria. Methods: Socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors were sought from 90 pregnant women using a proforma. Their sera were assayed for the presence of Ct immunoglobulin G (IgG) using ELISA. Data were analysed using SPSS version 21. Categorical variables were represented using frequency and percentages while associations between categorical variables were determined using Fisher’s exact test with p < 0.05 considered significant. Results: Prevalence of Ct infection was found to be 3.3% (3/90). The mean age of infected women was 34.3 ± 4.6 years. All seropositive women were gainfully employed and had tertiary education. Mean parity was 3, the majority (2/3,66.7%) had no previous miscarriage and none had a history of prior stillbirth.Conclusion: The prevalence of Ct in this study is low compared to the pooled prevalence for the West African sub-region. A broader community-based study using a nucleic acid amplification technique is suggested.


2017 ◽  
Vol 94 (3) ◽  
pp. 230-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriane Wynn ◽  
Doreen Ramogola-Masire ◽  
Ponatshego Gaolebale ◽  
Neo Moshashane ◽  
Ontiretse Sickboy ◽  
...  

ObjectivesChlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) are curable, mostly asymptomatic, STIs that cause adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. Most countries do not test for those infections during antenatal care. We implemented a CT, NG and TV testing and treatment programme in an antenatal clinic in Gaborone, Botswana.MethodsWe conducted a prospective study in the antenatal clinic at Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone, Botswana. We offered pregnant women who were 18 years or older and less than 35 weeks of gestation, CT, NG and TV testing using self-collected vaginal swabs. Testing was conducted using a GeneXpert® CT/NG and TV system. Those who tested positive were given directly observed antibiotic therapy and asked to return for a test of cure. We determined the prevalence of infections, uptake of treatment and proportion cured. The relationships between positive STI test and participant characteristics were assessed.ResultsWe enrolled 400 pregnant women. Fifty-four (13.5%) tested positive for CT, NG and/or TV: 31 (8%) for CT, 5 (1.3%) for NG and 21 (5%) for TV. Among those who tested positive, 74% (40) received same-day, in person results and treatment. Among those who received delayed results (6), 67% (4) were treated. Statistical comparisons showed that being unmarried and HIV infected were positively association CT, NG and/or TV infection. Self-reported STI symptoms were not associated with CT, NG and/or TV infection.ConclusionThe prevalence of CT, NG and/or TV was high, particularly among women with HIV infection. Among women with CT, NG and/or TV infection, those who received same-day results were more likely to be treated than those who received delayed results. More research is needed on the costs and benefits of integrating highly sensitive and specific STI testing into antenatal care in Southern Africa.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriane Wynn ◽  
Doreen Ramogola-Masire ◽  
Ponatshego Gaolebale ◽  
Neo Moshashane ◽  
Ogechukwu Agatha Offorjebe ◽  
...  

Introduction.Chlamydia trachomatis(CT),Neisseria gonorrhoeae(NG), andTrichomonas vaginalis(TV) are curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that can cause adverse maternal and birth outcomes. Most countries do not conduct routine testing during antenatal care. We present data on the acceptability and feasibility of testing and treating pregnant women for STIs in an antenatal clinic in Gaborone, Botswana.Materials and Methods. We offered CT, NG, and TV testing using self-collected vaginal swabs to eligible pregnant women. Participants received same-day test results. Those who tested positive were given treatment.Results. Among the 225 women who were eligible and recruited, 200 (89%) agreed to participate. The median age of our study sample was 30 years; most were unmarried (77%), with a median gestational age of 27 weeks and a 23% HIV prevalence. All participants received their results with at least 72% (n=143) on the same day. Thirty participants (15%) tested positive for an STI, all were treated, and 24 (80%) were treated on the same day.Conclusion. The acceptability of STI testing was high, and the intervention was feasible. This study provides support for continued research into STI prevalence, cost-effectiveness, and the association of STIs with adverse maternal and infant outcomes.


Author(s):  
Shiren Ali Al Hamzawi

Estimates of Trichomonas vaginalis prevalence in pregnant women are variable with few studies in Iraq.T. vaginalis is a worldwide prevalent sexually transmitted infection,but fortunately,it is very treatable. Researchers believed that pregnancy is one of the effective factors for T. vaginalis infection in women.A cross-sectional study performed in Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Maternity and Children Teaching Hospital in Al-Diwaniya city on two hundred female pregnant patients between the ages of 16-45 years. These females had no intercourse for 2–3 days,not using drugs (antibiotics,antiprotozoal or steroids) for the last 15 days. Vaginal discharges of any type with or without itching,burning sensation or both were their main complaints. Vaginal swabs were taken from all participating patients for direct wet mount microscopy and culture for the detection of Trichomonas vaginalis infection. The study showed that twelve out of two hundred examined pregnant women (6%) presented with T. vaginalis infection. The infection was more in those with mothers’ age (26-35) years,housewives,low education,higher parity,and of rural residents. Other maternal variables were not significantly associated with T. vaginalis infection. The study showed a prevalence of (6%) of T. vaginalis infection in pregnant female attendees. Infection was more in those with mothers ’age (26-35) years,housewives,low educational level,higher parity,and living in rural areas.


2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 528-532
Author(s):  
Nur Gasmelsid ◽  
Benjamin CB Moran ◽  
Tom Nadarzynski ◽  
Rajul Patel ◽  
Elizabeth Foley

Patient demand on sexual health services in the United Kingdom is so high that many services have introduced online screening to accommodate more patients. There are concerns that these services may not be accessible to all. This service evaluation was undertaken to determine whether online screening is accessible by those patients most at need by comparing the demographics and number of asymptomatic chlamydial infections detected online and in clinic. No difference was found in the age nor level of deprivation, demonstrating that online services are an accessible way to screen for sexually transmitted infections without overburdening established services.


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