Prevalence and etiology of sexually transmitted infections in a gynecologic unit of a developing country

Abstract

Background: Despite enormous sensitization and management options available for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the last 2 decades, these infections remain highly endemic in certain parts of Cameroon. This is a descriptive study of genital hygiene and predisposition to STIs in some women in Dschang, West Region, Cameroon. Materials and Methods: A total of 2172 consenting women seeking gynecological care at the Dschang District Hospital from 2009 to 2010 were interviewed, examined, cervical/blood specimens collected, and analyzed. Results: Inadequate healthcare systems; lack of reproductive health knowledge; vaginal washing with contaminated water or chemicals; contaminated sanitary towels or gynecologic equipment; unsterile sharps; dirty and damp lavatories; synthetic and tight underwear; multiple or concurrent sex partners; primitive traditions; myths; polygamous and inherited marriages; asymptomatic carriage of pathogens; self-medication; antibiotic abuse; traditional therapy; reinfections; poverty; poor sanitation; and illiteracy were related to genital conditions identi ied in 1466 (67%) study subjects, excluding 41 (2%) cases with human immunode iciency virus (HIV)/ acquired immunode iciency syndrome (AIDS) only. In total, 1353 (62%) patients were infectious cases, 113 (5%) had noninfectious vaginitis, 171 (8%) were positive for HIV/AIDS serology, with 6% having concurrent genital infections. Of the 1507 patients diagnosed with STIs, 62% were symptomatic and 7% asymptomatic comprising 5% convalescent and 2% healthy carriers. Bacterial vaginosis 24%, vaginal candidiasis 18%, chlamydia 15%, and active syphilis 11% predominated over trichomonas, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, herpes, and warts with rates ≤1%. Conclusion: In mitigation, hand washing, clean toilets, sexual behaviors that contribute to STIs, delay sexual debut, condom usage, rational employment of examination methods, improved medical diagnostics testing both men and women, attitude change and prevention education were emphasized on.

Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis and associated risk factors in pregnant women receiving antenatal care at the Kumba Health District (KHD), Cameroon

“…Women who practiced douching had a significantly higher prevalence of BV (χ 2 = 23.935, P = 0.001) than those who were not douching similar to reports from elsewhere [36]. Previous studies in Cameroon have also reported douching as a common practice among women [6, 26], as they believe that thorough bathing must involve douching. This is appalling considering the high level of education of participants: 36.9% secondary, 29.1% higher education.…”

“…Nsagha et al [25] reported a similar prevalence in Yaounde, Cameroon but their study was on non-pregnant women. Our prevalence is higher than 24% reported by Kesah et al [26]. Findings of present study together with previous reports show that BV could be serious reproductive health concern among women in Cameroon.…”

“…Studies on BV in pregnancy have been conducted in several countries [8, 11, 14], but there is insufficient data from Cameroon, with regards to prevalence and associated risk factors among pregnant women. Studies on BV in Cameroon so far involved the epidemiology of T. vaginalis , G. vaginalis and Candida albicans co-infection [25], prevalence and risk factors on sexually active women [6] as well as women with STIs in Dschang seeking gynecological care [26]. None of these studies focused on pregnant women.…”