Prevalence of genital chlamydia infection in urban women of reproductive age, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

BackgroundChlamydia trachomatis is one of the major causes of sexually transmitted infections throughout the world. Most infections are asymptomatic and remain undetected. Burden of disease in the Kenyan population is not well characterised. This study was done to define the prevalence of genital Chlamydia infection in a representative female population.FindingsA cross-sectional study design was employed. All women attending out-patient clinics (antenatal, gynaecology, family planning) and accident and emergency departments at two study sites over a five month period were invited to consent to completion of a questionnaire and vaginal swab collection. A rapid point-of-care immunoassay based test was performed on the swabs. Women who tested positive for Chlamydia were offered treatment, together with their partner(s), and advised to come for a follow-up test.A total of 300 women were tested. The prevalence of genital Chlamydia trachomatis was found to be 6% (95% CI 3.31% – 8.69%). The prevalence was higher in women who represented a higher socioeconomic level, but this difference was not significant (p=0.061). Use of vaginal swabs was observed to be a more acceptable form of sample collection.ConclusionThe prevalence of genital Chlamydia is significant in our female population. There is a justifiable need to institute opportunistic screening programs to reduce the burden of this disease. Rapid and low cost point-of-care testing as a potential component of sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening can be utilised.

Chlamydia trachomatis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Distribution and Sexual Behaviors across Gender and Age Group in an African Setting

“…Others have also reported similar findings in sub-Saharan Africa [5], [37]. This could be explained by the initial state of women acceding to emancipation, a state where they are bridging all sexual taboo and experimenting their sexuality as men do, a state of “irrational exuberance”.…”

High prevalence of curable sexually transmitted infections among pregnant women in a rural county hospital in Kilifi, Kenya

“…Most of the recent information about the prevalence of curable STIs among women in Kenya has been from studies done among high-risk individuals [18], women residing in cities [19, 20] or from regions with high incidence of HIV [13]. Consequently, we assessed the prevalence and predictors of curable STIs in pregnant women attending ANC at a rural county hospital in Coastal Kenya.…”

Antimicrobial Sensitivity Pattern of Microorganisms Isolated from Vaginal Infections at a Tertiary Hospital in Bangalore, India

“…Similar results with respect to age were seen in a Kenyan study, although it was limited to the study of only one organism. 16 Several microorganisms were isolated in our study, and those with the highest frequencies were Escherichia coli, diphtheroids, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus agalactiae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pro teus vulgaris, MRSA, Micrococci, Enterococci, Acinetobac ter, Citrobacter and Candida albicans. Commensal growths were found in 14% of cases that need not be treated, but necessary measures such as identification of risk factors (douching, sprays, diabetes) and their prevention have to be carried out.…”