SCREENING OF INFERTILE FEMALES FOR LOWER GENITAL TRACT INFECTIONS

Introduction: Infertility has been known to cause serious social and emotional problems worldwide. Besides other causes of female infertility, the role of female reproductive tract infection is well recognized. Lower genital tract infection, be it symptomatic or asymptomatic, need to be diagnosed and treated properly. In view of this our study was done. Aim & Objectives: To evaluate the bacteriological profile of lower genital tract in infertile females. Methodology: It was a cross sectional type of study. After taking consent, three swabs (high vaginal swab, endocervical swab and swab from lateral vaginal wall) were taken from 100 infertile women. A questionnaire covering demographic data, menstrual history, medical history, history of infertility, etc. was completed for each of the participants. Isolation and identification of the isolates were done as per conventional techniques. Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing was done for the aerobic isolates as per CLSI guidelines. Results: In our study, 47% of females were asymptomatic and majority them showed positive microbiological growth. E.coli and S.aureus were the most common aerobic isolates and Prevotella spp. was the most common anaerobic isolate. Majority of the anaerobes were associated with bacterial vaginosis. Majority of our isolates were susceptible to Gentamicin. Conclusion: The absence of clinical symptoms does not rule out the possibility of an ongoing acute inflammatory state due infective agents. Hence, both asymptomatic and symptomatic females should be screened for lower genital tract infections as the consequences may lead to infertility.

THE FACTORS OF KNOWLEDGE AND FAMILY’S SUPPORT WITH THE BEHAVIOR OF GENITAL HYGIENE

Background : Adolescence is a period of transition from childhood to adulthood. When girls experience menstruation, their reproductive organs are functioning properly, so it’s important to maintain the cleanliness of the genital organs to avoid reproductive health problems such as vaginal discharge. The case number of reproductive tract infection in East Java on 2006 was 86.5%. There are many factors that influence adolescents to behave in genital hygiene, including the level of knowledge and family support. The purpose of this study was to determine there was a relationship between the level of knowledge and family support with genital hygiene behavior in adolescent. Methods: This study uses a relationship research method with a cross sectional. Thisresearch place at SMPN 1 Jabon, Sidoarjo. The sample in this study amounted to 170 people using proportional random sampling. Collecting data using a questionnaire. Data analysis used chi-square correlation test and Spearman rank correlation test. Results: From the results of this study, it was found that most of the respondents had poor knowledge (53%), adequate family support (52%), and fairly clean genital hygiene behavior (59%). There is a relationship between the level of knowledge with genital hygiene behavior in adolescent (p = 0.045), there is a relationship between family support and genital hygiene behavior in adolescent (p = 0.001). The results of multivariate analysis showed a relationship between the level of knowledge and family support with genital hygiene behavior in adolescent (p = 0.008), where family support had a significant relationship (p = 0.002).

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES TOWARDS MENSTRUATION OF MIDWIFERY STUDENTS IN SURABAYA

Background: population of reproductive women in the world reach 52% (House, et al., 2012), while in Surabaya reach 24,6% (BPS, 2019). Menstruation is a natural aspect of reproductive woman’s life and becomes a very critical point because it shows the basis of women’s wellbeing, especially menstrual hygiene. Poor hygiene during menstruation can lead to reproductive tract infection. In order to avoid RTI, good menstrual behavior is needed. Midwifery students as future health workers will be a role in helping change people’s behavior, one of which practice of menstruation towards better. Aims: This research to find out knowledge, attitudes and practices about menstruation of midwifery students in Surabaya. Methods: this research method is descriptive quantitative cross-sectional, with a sample of the first level midwifery students from five institutions in Surabaya. Sampling with total sampling and which includes inclusion criteria is 206 respondents. This research has been held in September- October 2019. The variables are knowledge of menstrual, attitudes towards menstruation and menstrual practices. Data retrieval using a questionnaire in the google form. Results: The results shows 68% of respondents have high knowledge, 55,3% of respondents have negative attitudes and 50,5% of respondents have good menstrual practices. Conclusions: High knowledge of menstruation wasn’t comparable with negative attitudes towards menstruation so only half of the respondents have good practice.

High Prevalence of Lactobacillus crispatus Dominated Vaginal Microbiome Among Kenyan Secondary School Girls: Negative Effects of Poor Quality Menstrual Hygiene Management and Sexual Activity

The vaginal microbiome (VMB) impacts numerous health outcomes, but evaluation among adolescents is limited. We characterized the VMB via 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, and its association with Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs; chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis) among 436 schoolgirls in Kenya, median age 16.9 years. BV and STI prevalence was 11.2% and 9.9%, respectively, with 17.6% of girls having any reproductive tract infection. Three community state types (CST) accounted for 95% of observations: CST-I L.crispatus-dominant (N=178, BV 0%, STI 2.8%, sexually active 21%); CST-III L.iners-dominant (N=152, BV 3.3%, STI 9.7%, sexually active 35%); CST-IV G.vaginalis-dominant (N=83, BV 51.8%, STI 25.3%, sexually active 43%). In multivariable adjusted analyses, sexually active girls had increased odds of CST-III and CST-IV, and use of cloth to manage menses had 1.72-fold increased odds of CST-IV vs. CST-I. The predominance of L.crispatus-dominated VMB, substantially higher than observed in prior studies of young adult and adult women in sub-Saharan Africa, indicates that non-optimal VMB can be an acquired state. Interventions to maintain or re-constitute L.crispatus dominance should be considered even in adolescents.

702To determine socio-demographic corelates of reproductive tract infection amongst women of reproductive age group

Background Reproductive tract infection (RTI) is a public health problem, in developing countries like India. The associated odium with it is a stumbling block in seeking health care. So, our aim was to studyprevalence of RTI symptoms and its socio-demographic corelates. Methods A cross-sectional study was undertaken in the rural field practice area of Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India, from July 2018 to June 2019. Total sample size calculated was 410. Random sampling was used to select eligible couple to whom a predesigned, pretested, semi-structured and anonymousinterview schedule was administered after taking consent. Results The prevalence of self-reported RTI’swas found to be 41.2%.It was more in lower socio-economic classes, and was statistically significant. Other socio-demographic corelates (age, education, occupation) did not showed any significant association. Conclusions RTI infections were more prevalent among multigravida women and those using cloth during menstrual periods. RTIs are usually spurned by women and even the health care providers, so there is a need to give due consideration to this aspect of reproductive health. Key messages The relevant and robust data on RTI’s, may be secured by capacity building of health workers. An exemplary drug supply system may be ensured, so that the RTI kits are available at government health institutions. An introduction of affordable point-of-care tests for sexually transmitted infection may be done, as recommended in the WHO Global Health Sector Strategy for the control and prevention of STIs.

Effectiveness of Video Assisted Teaching Programme on Knowledge regarding Menstrual Hygiene among Adolescent Girls at JSS High School, Chamarajanagar

Introduction: The onset of menstruation is a physiological milestone in women’ reproductive life. Menarche is a recognized as one of the most vivid and emotional laden events for human faunal regardless of specific culture practices of the society. Approach and design: In this study, Pre-experimental design was adopted. Samples and sampling criteria: Convenient sampling technique was adopted to select 90 adolescent girls. The knowledge was measured by using structured knowledge questionnaire regarding menstrual hygiene. A structured video clips was showed for the samples. The data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The results of study revealed that the significance of difference between the mean pre-test and mean post-test knowledge scores which was statistically tested using paired ‘t’ test and was found to be highly significant. The results also show that the Pre-test knowledge scores of adolescent girls had no significant association with their selected demographic variables except their previous exposure to education programme and Post-test knowledge scores of adolescent girls had no significant association with their selected demographic variables except their studying class. Conclusion: Menstrual hygiene a very important risk factor for reproductive tract infection, it is a vital aspects of health education for adolescent girls.

Effect and mechanisms of reproductive tract infection on oxidative stress parameters, sperm DNA fragmentation, and semen quality in infertile males

Recent years have seen a rising incidence of male infertility, mostly caused by the decline of sperm quality. The ratio of infertile males to infertile females has escalated from 3:7 in 2013 to current 5:5, which turns male infertility into the research focus of reproductive medicine. This study aimed to clarify the effect of reproductive tract infection by ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) and chlamydia trachomatis (CT) on the DNA integrity and routine semen parameters of infertile males. A retrospective study was performed. A total of 259 infertile males who were treated at the Andrological Laboratory Examination and Reproductive Medicine Center in our hospital were analyzed. qRT-PCR was used to examine the infection status of CT and UU. According to the eligibility criteria, we evaluated the semen parameters and biochemical data of 253 men. Based on the results of PCR, the subjects were divided into four groups: Group I (CT positive, 63 cases), Group II (UU positive, 60 cases), Group III (CT positive and UU positive, 62 cases), and Group IV (no infection, 68 cases). DNA fragmentation index (DFI), sperm count, vitality and morphology, elastase level, seminal plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were assessed. Compared to Group IV, three groups (Group I, Group II and Group III) showed difference in semen volume, proportion of sperm with normal morphology, sperm motility, progressive motility, and vitality (P < 0.05). Compared to Group IV, Group II and Group III showed difference in DFI (P < 0.05). Compared to Group IV, Group II and Group III showed difference in elastase level (P < 0.05). VCL, VSL, VAP, WOB, ROS, TM, HDS showed differences between groups of abnormal/normal WBC (*P < 0.01).UU infection significantly increased the level of seminal leukocytes only in Group II, but not in the other three groups, indicating that UU is a factor to increase the level of seminal leukocytes. Compared with the normal leukocyte group, there were significant differences in total motility, forward motility and normal sperm ratio between the two groups. The proportion of sperm with abnormal morphology (mostly in the head) showed obvious difference between groups of high and normal seminal leukocytic levels. At the same time, in this study, SCGE and SCD verified that leukocytes could damage sperm DNA by increasing ROS, which ultimately affects male fertility.

Identification of differentially expressed genes and signaling pathways in human conjunctiva and reproductive tract infected with Chlamydia trachomatis

Background Currently, Chlamydia trachomatis–specific host defense mechanisms in humans remain poorly defined. To study the characteristics of host cells infected early with Chlamydia trachomatis, we used bioinformatics methods to analyze the RNA transcription profiles of the conjunctiva, fallopian tubes, and endometrium in humans infected with Chlamydia trachomatis. Method The gene expression profiles of GSE20430, GSE20436, GSE26692, and GSE41075 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Synthesis (GEO) database. Then, we obtained the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) through the R 4.0.1 software. STRING was used to construct protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks; then, the Cytoscape 3.7.2 software was used to visualize the PPI and screen hub genes. GraphPad Prism 8.0 software was used to verify the expression of the hub gene. In addition, the gene–miRNA interaction was constructed on the NetworkAnalyst 3.0 platform using the miRTarBase v8.0 database. Results A total of 600 and 135 DEGs were screened out in the conjunctival infection group and the reproductive tract infection group, respectively. After constructing a PPI network and verifying the hub genes, CSF2, CD40, and CSF3 in the reproductive tract infection group proved to have considerable statistical significance. Conclusion In our research, the key genes in the biological process of reproductive tract infection with Chlamydia trachomatis were clarified through bioinformatics analysis. These hub genes may be further used in clinical treatment and clinical diagnosis.