Vaginal herb use andChlamydia trachomatisinfection: cross-sectional study among women of various ethnic groups in Suriname

Abstract

ObjectiveVaginal steam baths with herb leaves (herb use) is practised by some Surinamese women. We assessed herb use among women from the five most prevalent ethnic groups, and if herb use is associated withChlamydia trachomatisinfection.SettingParticipants were recruited at a sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic and a family planning clinic (FP) in Paramaribo, Suriname.Participants1040 women were included subsequently, comprising the following ethnic groups: Creole (26.7%), Hindustani (24.6%), Javanese (15.7%), Maroon (13.3%) and mixed descent (19.7%).MethodsNurses collected a questionnaire and vaginal swabs for nucleic acid amplificationC. trachomatistesting.Primary outcomesDeterminants of vaginal herb use andC. trachomatisinfection via univariable and multivariable logistic regression.ResultsHerb use was most common among Maroon (68.8%) and Creole women (25.2%). In multivariable analysis including only Maroon and Creole women, determinants significantly associated with vaginal herb use were (OR; 95% CI): Maroon ethnic descent (5.33; 3.26 to 8.71 vs Creole), recruitment at the STI clinic (2.04; 1.24 to 3.36 vs FP), lower education levels (3.80; 1.68 to 8.57 lower vs higher, and 2.02; 0.90 to 4.51 middle vs higher). Lower age and recruitment at the STI clinic were associated withC. trachomatisinfection, but not vaginal herb use.ConclusionIn Suriname, vaginal herb use is common among Maroon and Creole women. Education, ethnic group and recruitment site were determinants for herb use. Vaginal herb use was not a determinant ofC. trachomatisinfection. Future research should focus on the effect of herb use on the vaginal microbiome and mucosal barrier.

Exploration and Practice of “Internet + Maker Education” University Innovative Entrepreneurship Education Model From the Perspective of Positive Psychology

“…In the current "Internet+" era, the online maker education form for undergraduates is gradually popularized and promoted. Meanwhile, the seamless development of offline and online education can promote the comprehensive development of maker education (Van der Helm et al, 2019). Based on the thinking of "Internet + Maker Education" and the current situation of maker education in universities, this study proposed the construction structure of maker education on the Internet platform based on the function of learning space, as shown in Figure 1.…”

“…Therefore, the target positioning of undergraduates mainly depends on the general process of maker activities. Universities are the major environments for cultivating maker talents (Van der Helm et al, 2019). In such an environment, teaching and scientific research work are completed.…”

Sexually transmitted infections on the border between Suriname and French Guiana: A scoping review

“…Hence, 96.6% of maroon women perform steam baths while only 4.2% of Amerindian women do ( 47 ); The hypothesis is that such practices lead to a dry vagina, with a modification of the protective bacterial flora and increased risks for microlesions and subsequent infections. A study in Suriname suggested that regarding Chlamydia infection steam baths were not particularly associated with more Chlamydia ( 52 ). Hypothesizing that, if steam baths made women more vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections (they are usually first practiced after the first menses), there should be a differential incidence for HIV and HTLV-1, we surveyed historical data on both HIV and HTLV-1( 53 ) and there was no such difference which is not in favor of a large effect of vaginal steam baths as a major epidemic driver.…”