Sexually transmitted infection associated syndromes among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Background Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are widely reported in pregnant women in Africa and can cause significant maternal and perinatal morbidity. The availability of epidemiologic data on STIs and their associated factors in pregnant women is critical to developing effective prevention strategies. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with sexually transmitted infection-associated syndromes among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics at selected public health facilities in southwest Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out with 303 pregnant women who attended ANC between November 1 and 30, 2018. The consecutive sampling technique was employed until the required sample size was reached. The data were collected using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire. Bi-variable and multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify independent variables associated with the outcome of interest. The level of significance was declared at a p-value < 0.05. Results Of the 303 respondents surveyed, STI-associated syndromes had a prevalence of 19.1% (95% CI: 14.7%–23.5%). Nearly one-tenth (8.9%) of the respondents had vaginal discharge syndrome followed by lower abdominal or pelvic pain (7.6%). The study also found that being unmarried (AOR = 5.61, 95% CI [2.34–9.36]), not formally educated (AOR = 2.24, 95% CI [1.58–3.86]), having multiple sexual partners in the past 3 months (AOR = 3.93, 95% CI [1.44–5.23]), history of spontaneous abortion (AOR = 4.48, 95% CI [2.21–7.72]), and history of STI (AOR = 3.76, 95% CI [2.24–6.46]) were the factors associated with STI-associated syndromes. Conclusion The prevalence of STI-associated syndromes among respondents was 19.1%. The study found that being unmarried, not formally educated, having multiple sexual partners, history of spontaneous abortion, and history of STI were largely accountable for the occurrence of STI-associated syndromes in the study sample. Therefore, in addition to the one-time assessment of HIV and syphilis at the first ANC visit, there is a need to emphasize the syndromic approach diagnosis of STIs among pregnant women during each ANC visit to reduce and ultimately prevent both vertical and horizontal transmissions of STIs.

Factors Associated With HIV Preventive Behavior Among Adults in Majang Zone of Gambella Region, Southwest Ethiopia

“…Fontes MB et al endorsed this study, which found that being married was linked to HIV prevention practices ( 37 ). Yosef T ( 38 ) revealed that being single or unmarried had a high chance of acquiring sexually transmitted infections due to the application of poor preventive behavior. This could be because married people are more likely to be faithful to their partners, which could lead to the usage of an HIV prevention strategy.…”

Prevalence and Demographic, Socioeconomic, and Behavioral Risk Factors of Self-Reported Symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) among Ever-Married Women: Evidence from Nationally Representative Surveys in Bangladesh

“…Existing studies show mixed relationships of various demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral risk factors with STIs, mostly with the clinical outcomes, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, syphilis, and trichomoniasis [15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. For example, some population-level studies from low-income countries find that women with lower social status (e.g., lower levels of education, lower income, etc.)…”

“…For example, some population-level studies from low-income countries find that women with lower social status (e.g., lower levels of education, lower income, etc.) have an increased risk for STIs [5,20,22]. Another study reports that women in the wealthiest quintile had a lower risk of STIs [21].…”

Sexually transmitted infections and associated factors during pregnancy in Gondar city, Northwest Ethiopia, 2021: A multicenter study

“…7 A study conducted in Kenya in 2017 also found that 20.8% of pregnant women had acquired STIs. 8 In Ethiopia, the prevalence of STIs among pregnant women was 19.1% in Southwest Ethiopia 9 during 2021 and 26.6% in central Ethiopia 10 during 2017.…”

“…22 Several factors associated with STIs during pregnancy have been identified in different parts of the world. Most importantly, maternal age, [5][6][7]11 residency, 11 marital status, 6,9 educational status, 23 occupational status, 5 having multiple sexual partners, 24,25 alcohol use, 5 history of spontaneous abortion, 9 and parity 7,26 are some of the factors that are significantly associated with STIs.…”