Chlamydia Trachomatis and Neisseria Gonorrhoeae prevalence among women of reproductive age living in urogenital schistosomiasis endemic area in Ghana

Abstract

BackgroundMany studies have shown an overlap in the epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and urogenital schistosomiasis among young women living in schistosomiasis endemic areas. Yet we found no study assessing the prevalence of STI infections in urogenital schistosomiasis endemic areas in Ghana. As part of an epidemiological study on urogenital schistosomiasis and HIV, we sought to assess the prevalence of both Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorhoeae (NG) infections among women living in schistosomiasis endemic communities and explore the relationship between the sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and demographic characteristics, sexual behaviour and self-reported symptoms.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study in which endocervical samples were collected from 191 women aged 15–49 years from October 2005 to March 2006. Samples were examined for CT and NG using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). A structured questionnaire was also used to elicit information on study participant’s gynaecological and obstetric history and symptoms for genital infection. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to assess association between CT and NG and other variables such as age, sexual behaviour and self-reported symptoms.ResultsThe overall prevalence of CT and NG were 6.3% and 2.6% respectively.The highest prevalence rates of CT were in the 15 to 19 year group while only individuals between 15 and 39 years were positive for NG. There was no association between CT and age, contraceptive use and the other variables assessed. NG on the other hand was found to be associated with age, number of births and number of sexual partners only by chi-square test.ConclusionsOur research revealed higher prevalence of CT and NG infections when compared to previous studies conducted among higher risk groups in non-urogenital schistosomiasis areas in Ghana. We therefore recommend further studies of these STIs in urogenital schistosomiasis endemic areas in the country.

The frequency of gonorrheal and chlamydial infections in Zanjanian women in 2013-2014

“…According to findings of this study bacterial infection has higher rate among women with use of withdrawal method. These results are similar to the results reported by Yirenya-Tawiah et al and Akya et al (23, 46). As shown in the results of this study, only 7% of women have used barrier methods, it seems that the high prevalence of chlamydia and gonorrhea among women in this study partly can be explained through it.…”

“…These results was concordance with the study performed by Yirenya-Tawiah et al in Ghana, Nevertheless, they observed only a small percentage of the STI positive cases to report the presence of symptoms related to STIs (46). In a study was done in Batswana, many Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infected individuals were asymptomatic (47).…”

Genital Chlamydia trachomatis Infection among Women of Reproductive Age Attending the Gynecology Clinic of Hawassa University Referral Hospital, Southern Ethiopia

“…Similarly, higher infection rates were shown in the 15–24 age group elsewhere [12, 21]. Therefore, the prevalence of CT in adolescent females in this country is an important health concern since untreated CT infection may be a reservoir for ongoing transmission in the population and could have long-term consequences, which may not manifest themselves until women later try to conceive.…”

Prevalence of chlamydia trachomatis infection among reproductive age women in sub Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The total study population size screened for Chlamydia trachomatis and involved in this systematic review and meta-analysis were 17,119.Among these, 9606 were screened at community based studies [ 18 – 23 ], about 2638 were FCSWS [ 19 , 20 , 24 – 28 ] and 4875 were at health facility based studies [ 28 – 38 ]. The sample size of study population varied from 100 [ 24 ] to 4886 [ 19 ], and were conducted between the year 1997–2001 [ 19 , 22 , 30 ], 2002–2006 [ 25 ], 2007–2011 [ 21 , 26 , 31 ] and 2012–2016 [ 23 , 27 , 34 – 36 ].…”