scholarly journals Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and bacterial vaginosis among lesbian women: systematic review and recommendations to improve care

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maira Libertad Soligo Takemoto ◽  
Mariane de Oliveira Menezes ◽  
Carla Betina Andreucci Polido ◽  
Débora de Souza Santos ◽  
Valeria Marli Leonello ◽  
...  

Our aim was to systematically review data about the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and bacterial vaginosis among lesbian women and to suggest strategies to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment. A search strategy for lesbian, STI and bacterial vaginosis was applied to PubMed, LILACS and BDENF databases. Of 387 unique references retrieved, 22 fulfilled the inclusion criteria (cross-sectional studies reporting prevalence for 8 STIs/bacterial vaginosis and history of a STI). The most frequent infection reported was bacterial vaginosis, and none study reported data on hepatitis B. A wide range of prevalence was observed for most infections. In terms of risk factors, the number of sexual partners, the past or current smoking, a history of forced sex and sexual stigma seem to increase the risk of STI and bacterial vaginosis. The findings of this review are discussed considering guidelines directly addressing the LGBT community’s health and relevant studies investigating both safe sexual practices and the intricate relationship between LGBT people and their care providers. A set of recommendations to improve preventive care for lesbian women is proposed. Affirming that little is known about the extent of STIs and bacterial vaginosis transmission in female-to-female sexual activities or about the risk factors for STI and bacterial vaginosis among lesbian women is reasonable. In fact, the overall quality of the studies was low or very low with significant uncertainty around their findings. However, we consider that the available knowledge indicates some paths to be followed by care providers and policy decision-makers to improve their actions towards better sexual health of lesbian women.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Tu ◽  
Yu-Ye Li ◽  
Yi-Qun Kuang ◽  
Rong-Hui Xie ◽  
Xing-Qi Dong ◽  
...  

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.


2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 791-800 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark W. Evans ◽  
Sonya Borrero ◽  
Jonathan Yabes ◽  
Elian A. Rosenfeld

Little is known about the sexual health of male veterans. This study used nationally representative data from the 2011 to 2013 National Survey of Family Growth to compare sexual behaviors and history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) between male veterans and nonveterans. The sample included 3,860 men aged 18 to 44 years who reported ever having sex with a man or woman. The key independent variable was veteran status. Sexual behavior outcomes included ≥6 lifetime female partners, ≥10 lifetime partners of either sex, ≥2 past-year partners of either sex, having past-year partners of both sexes, and condom nonuse at last vaginal sex. STI outcomes included past-year history of chlamydia, gonorrhea, or receiving any STI treatment; lifetime history of herpes, genital warts, or syphilis; and an aggregate measure capturing any reported STI history. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between veteran status and each outcome. In models adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, education, income, and marital status, veterans had significantly greater odds than nonveterans of having ≥6 lifetime female partners ( OR = 1.5, 95% CI [1.02, 2.31]). In models adjusting for age and marital status, veterans had significantly greater odds of having partners of both sexes in the past year ( OR = 4.8, 95% CI [1.2, 19.8]), and gonorrhea in the past year ( OR = 3.2, 95% CI [1.2, 8.5]). Male veterans were thus significantly more likely than nonveterans to have STI risk factors. Health care providers should be aware that male veterans may be at higher risk for STIs and assess veterans’ sexual risk behaviors.


2002 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 847-849
Author(s):  
A R Markos

A retrospective casenote study was conducted to examine the risk factors for patients who were diagnosed as hepatitis C (HCV)-positive (between 1999 and 2001) in a semi-rural genitourinary medicine (GUM) setting in Staffordshire, UK. There was a remarkable escalation in the number of reported HCV-positive cases, year on year, in our study. The majority of the positive cases (20/21) gave a history of previous intravenous drug use (IVDU). The incidence of other sexually transmitted infections were reportedly high in our HCV-positive patients. The increasing number of reported HCV-positive cases in the GUM clinic of the semirural Staffordshire setting, may reflect a national pattern that needs further investigations. We advise that HCV serology should be offered to GUM clients (who have a history of IVDU), and to their sex partners. They should also be advised to take tests to exclude other STDs. The case for offering HCV serology as a routine test for patients who request 'the exclusion of STDs' is still undecided.


Author(s):  
Sara Lowe ◽  
Tinashe Mudzviti ◽  
Ardele Mandiriri ◽  
Tinei Shamu ◽  
Petronella Mudhokwani ◽  
...  

Background: Coinfection rates of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are not widely reported in Zimbabwe and no local guidelines regarding the screening of STIs in people living with HIV exist.Objectives: This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for STI coinfection in a cohort of HIV-infected women.Methods: Between January and June 2016, 385 HIV-infected women presenting for routine cervical cancer screening were tested for five STIs: Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Chlamydia trachomatis(CT), Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) type 2 and Treponema pallidum (TP). Socio-demographic characteristics and sexual history were recorded. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the diagnosis of non-viral STIs.Results: Two hundred and thirty-three participants (60.5%) had a confirmed positive result for at least one STI: HSV 2 prevalence 52.5%, TV 8.1%, CT 2.1%, NG 1.8% and TP 11.4%. Eighty-seven per cent of the women were asymptomatic for any STI; 62.3% of women with a non-viral STI were asymptomatic. Women who had attended tertiary education were 90% less likely to have a non-viral STI (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.10, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.03–0.39, p < 0.01). Having more than three lifetime sexual partners was a significant predictor for a non-viral STI diagnosis (aOR: 3.3, 95% CI: 1.5–7.2, p < 0.01).Conclusion: A high prevalence of predominantly asymptomatic STIs is reported in a cohort of HIV-infected women. Syndromic management results in underdiagnosis of asymptomatic patients. More than three lifetime sexual partners and less formal education are risk factors for coinfection with non-viral STI. High-risk women should be screened using aetiological methods.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 354-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leyde Daiane de Peder ◽  
Claudinei Mesquita da Silva ◽  
Bruna Larissa Nascimento ◽  
Josi Any Malizan ◽  
Heloise Skiavine Madeira ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Tassang Andrew ◽  
Celestina Neh Fru ◽  
Mike Robert Brady ◽  
Frederick Nchang Cho ◽  
Tassang Thierry ◽  
...  

Background: Cervical cancer (CC) is a worldwide disease, with 85% of new cases occurring in developing countries in general and Africa south of the Sahara in particular. Aim: The objective of this study was to find possible factors that could affect knowledge about CC and some CC risk factors in our community. Study Design: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in Buea, Mutengene, and Tiko. Result: Knowledge about CC is modulated by the level of education and the young age of women. Risk factors, although universal, seem to vary according to the geographical area and the socio-cultural environment where one lives. Some risk factors identified are; early onset of sexual intercourse, polygamous marriages, multiple sexual partners, the sexual behavior of the male partner, Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), Human Deficiency Virus (HIV), and history of genital warts. Conclusion: None enhancement of lifestyle as the voluntary refusal of cervical cancer screening and CC vaccination has also been risky for CC.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jalwa Javed Farooqi ◽  
Farhat Rehana Malik ◽  
Kanza Javed Farooqi ◽  
Owais Mudassar

Abstract Background; Viral hepatitis causes devastating health issues to everyone globally and specifically the most vulnerable groups like pregnant ladies. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for hepatitis B and C virus infection with univariate association of virus seropositivity among pregnant women and comparison of public with private hospital data.Study Design; An Unmatched Case Control Pilot Study.Place and Duration; Gynaecology wards of Two Public Tertiary Care Hospitals of Peshawar and equal number of Private clinics, from September- 2018 to February- 2019.Methods; This study enrolled 21 cases and controls as 1:1 ratio via consecutive sampling. A validated questionnaire was used. Cases included were HBsAg and ELISA positive HCV females, while anti HBsAg and Anti HCV ELISA negative were the controls. The collected data was entered and analysed in SPSS version- 19. Descriptive statistics were computed by frequency and percentages while inferential statistics through Odd ratio and 95% confidence interval. P value cut of limit was set at <0.05. Results; The mean age was 37±9 for the cases and 28±6 years for controls respectively. The risk factors with increase occurrence of disease were past history of abortion OR=1.23 (95% Cl=0.34-4.35), past hospitalization OR=2.90 (Cl=0.77-10.8), past surgical procedure OR=3.69 (Cl=0.81-16.6), dental extraction OR=1.25 (Cl=0.33-4.63), delivery in hospital OR=4.26 (Cl=1.13-16.05), injection in hospitals OR=1.47 (Cl=0.43-5.04), household contact with jaundice OR=5.66 (Cl=1.41-22.7). Normal vaginal delivery OR=1.96 (Cl=0.51-7.48) and history of sexually transmitted infections OR=2.23 (Cl=0.36-13.7) were independently associated with HBV, HCV.Conclusion; Iatrogenic exposures of injections, blood transfusions, tooth extractions, home deliveries with past history of sexually transmitted infections, abortion, hepatitis infection and hospital admissions were the risk factors among the pregnant women.


Author(s):  
Pedro Moregola Teixeira ◽  
Wendel Coura Vital ◽  
Angélica Alves Lima ◽  
Nayara Nascimento Toledo Silva ◽  
Cláudia Martins Carneiro ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common cause of vaginal discharge in the world. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence and to identify risk factors associated with bacterial vaginosis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Ouro Preto, Brazil, between February and December 2017. Three hundred and forty-one women aged 18 years or older, users of the Brazilian Unified Health System, participated in this study. Women who used oral or topical antibiotics in the four weeks prior to the sample collection and women who had undergone a total hysterectomy were excluded from the study. After signing the Informed Consent Form and filling out a questionnaire containing sociodemographic, behavioral and sexual data, the participants were directed to the collection room, where the nurse collected the samples for the preventive examination of the cervix and also two vaginal swabs. Vaginal swabs and cervical samples were analyzed for cytological abnormalities and BV using Gram staining and cytology. Pathogens causing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were identified by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). For the analysis of the data, statistical package STATA version 10.0 was used. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP). Results: During the study, 341 women were evaluated. The prevalence of BV using Gram staining (32.5% [CI95% 27.7=37.7%]) and cytology (27.7% [CI95% 23.0=32.8%]) was similar, however, the sensitivity of cytology was lower (77.8%). Risk factors associated with BV were smoking (IRR 1.5[CI95%: 1.1 = 2.1]), use of an intrauterine device (IRR 2.8 [CI95%: 1.2 = 6.5]), and past medical history of BV (IRR 1.5 [CI95%: 1.1 = 2.1]). Correlation between the presence of BV and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infection (r=0.24) was observed. Conclusion: The prevalence of BV was affected by life habits and was prevalent in women with TV. Thus, behavioral and social prevention approaches to women with diverse risk profiles may help mitigate TV/BV prevalence and recurrence of BV.


2022 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Tu ◽  
Yu-Ye Li ◽  
Yi-Qun Kuang ◽  
Rong-Hui Xie ◽  
Xing-Qi Dong ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Yunnan has the highest rates of HIV in China. 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 receiving ART). Blood samples and first-voided urine samples were collected. Real-time polymerase chain reaction methods were used for diagnosing Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhea (NG) and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG). Syphilis and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) tests were also performed. Results Among the 406 participants, the overall prevalence of STIs was 47.0% and 45.1% in ART-naive individuals and 49.0% in individuals receiving ART, respectively. The testing frequencies were 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, CT, NG and MG, respectively. The percentage of multiple infections in both groups was 10.8% (22/204) in ART-naive participants and 9.9% (20/202) in participants receiving ART. Female sex, an age between 18 and 35 years, ever injecting drugs, homosexual or bisexual status, HIV/HBV coinfection, and not receiving ART were identified as risk factors. Self-reported asymptomatic patients were not eliminated from having a laboratory-diagnosed STI. Conclusions The STI prevalence was 47.0% (45.1% vs. 49.0%), and HSV-2, syphilis and MG were the most common STIs in HIV-infected individuals. We found a high prevalence (6.4%) of MG in ART-naive individuals. HIV-positive individuals tend to neglect or hide their genital tract discomfort; thus, we suggest strengthening STI joint screening and treatment services among HIV-infected individuals regardless of whether they describe genital tract discomfort.


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