Prevalence and Risk Factors of Lower Reproductive Tract Infections in Symptomatic Women in Dakar, Senegal

Abstract

Background: Lower reproductive tract infections in women are important causes of morbidity but can also lead to complications and sequelae. This study aimed to establish the prevalence and risk factors of lower genital tract infections among women of reproductive age in Dakar (Senegal). Methods: This was a prospective study conducted in 6 maternity hospitals from July to November 2015. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 49 years and presented at health facilities with signs and symptoms of genital infection. Consenting individuals who met the inclusion criteria were recruited for the study. Results: During the reporting period, 276 patients were enrolled. According to the laboratory results, the prevalence of any genital infection was 69.6% (192 of 276). The most common vaginal infections were bacterial vaginosis (39.5%) and vaginal candidiasis (29%), with the third most common cause, trichomoniasis, trailing behind in terms of prevalence (2.5%). Among the microorganisms responsible for cervical infections, Ureaplasma urealyticum was the most frequent (27.5%), followed by Mycoplasma hominis (14.5%), Chlamydia trachomatis (4.7%), and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (1.1%). Multivariate analysis showed that young women and women with low levels of education were at increased risk for vaginal/cervical infections. Conclusions: This study revealed a high prevalence of bacterial vaginosis and vaginal candidiasis and suggests that health care providers should increase awareness and communication to improve vaginal hygiene practices. If infection with Trichomonas vaginalis, C trachomatis or N gonorrhoeae is suspected, we also recommend systematically performing laboratory diagnostic confirmation.

Bacterial Vaginosis and Risk Factors in Pregnant Women in Senegal

“…Our study shows that BV prevalence in pregnant women was 18.6%. This estimate is lower than that reported among nonpregnant Senegalese women (39.5%), in which BV detection was performed only in symptomatic women (15). Our result is consistent with other studies carried out among pregnant women, regardless of the presence/absence of symptoms (4,13,14,22).…”

“…BV prevalence among sub-Saharan African countries varies from 25-50% (12) and from 9-23% in pregnant women (4,13,14). In Senegal, one prospective study among non-pregnant women with symptoms of genital infections estimated a rate of 39.5% (15).…”

Examination of Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis in 4082 Chinese patients

“…The rate of Mycoplasma infection was 48.21% in women and 20.71% in men. The result is different from other areas in China and other countries (9)(10)(11). This may be due to the physiology of women, which is more favorable to infection by Mycoplasma.…”

Pharmaceutical care in the context of an Extension Project to care for patients with vaginal candidiasis with the strategy of carrying out antifungal resistance testing and community health prevention

“…Mundialmente, os relatos na literatura sobre a candidíase vaginal, majoritariamente ocorrem em locais com alta vulnerabilidade social e condições precárias de saúde e educação. Um trabalho realizado em Dakar, no Senegal, demonstrou que das 276 pacientes atendidas, 69,6% possuíam alguma infecção genital onde a candidíase vaginal ocorreu em 29% (Diadhiou et al, 2019). No nordeste do Brasil, estado do Maranhão, outro estudo demonstrou que num total de 144 pacientes, 62,5% apresentavam candidíase genital sendo a Candida parapsilosis, diagnosticada em 43% dos achados clínicos (Alves et al, 2015).…”

“…Importante também a defasagem na educação e o baixo nível de escolaridade por parte das pacientes pode ser um fator relevante quando se fala de infecções vaginais causadas pelas diversas espécies de Candida spp. (Diadhiou et al, 2019;Kiasat, Matehkolaei, Mahmoudabadi, 2019;Pereira, 2018;Tabile et al, 2016).…”