Yirenya-Tawiah Dzidzo, Annang Ted N, Apea-Kubi Kwesi A, Lomo George, Mensah David, Akyeh Lorenzo, Bosompem Kwabena M
Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.
BMC Res Notes. 2014 Jun 9;7:349. doi: 10.1186/1756-0500-7-349.
Many studies have shown an overlap in the epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and urogenital schistosomiasis among young women living in schistosomiasis endemic areas. Yet we found no study assessing the prevalence of STI infections in urogenital schistosomiasis endemic areas in Ghana. As part of an epidemiological study on urogenital schistosomiasis and HIV, we sought to assess the prevalence of both Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorhoeae (NG) infections among women living in schistosomiasis endemic communities and explore the relationship between the sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and demographic characteristics, sexual behaviour and self-reported symptoms.
This was a cross-sectional study in which endocervical samples were collected from 191 women aged 15-49 years from October 2005 to March 2006. Samples were examined for CT and NG using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). A structured questionnaire was also used to elicit information on study participant's gynaecological and obstetric history and symptoms for genital infection. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to assess association between CT and NG and other variables such as age, sexual behaviour and self-reported symptoms.
The overall prevalence of CT and NG were 6.3% and 2.6% respectively.The highest prevalence rates of CT were in the 15 to 19 year group while only individuals between 15 and 39 years were positive for NG. There was no association between CT and age, contraceptive use and the other variables assessed. NG on the other hand was found to be associated with age, number of births and number of sexual partners only by chi-square test.
Our research revealed higher prevalence of CT and NG infections when compared to previous studies conducted among higher risk groups in non-urogenital schistosomiasis areas in Ghana. We therefore recommend further studies of these STIs in urogenital schistosomiasis endemic areas in the country.
许多研究表明，生活在血吸虫病流行地区的年轻女性中，性传播感染（STIs）和泌尿生殖系统血吸虫病在流行病学上存在重叠。然而，我们发现没有研究评估加纳泌尿生殖系统血吸虫病流行地区的性传播感染患病率。作为泌尿生殖系统血吸虫病和艾滋病流行病学研究的一部分，我们试图评估生活在血吸虫病流行社区的女性中沙眼衣原体（CT）和淋病奈瑟菌（NG）感染的患病率，并探讨性传播感染（STIs）与人口统计学特征、性行为和自我报告症状之间的关系。
这是一项横断面研究，于2005年10月至2006年3月从191名年龄在15至49岁的女性中采集宫颈样本。使用聚合酶链反应（PCR）检测样本中的CT和NG。还使用结构化问卷收集研究参与者的妇科和产科病史以及生殖器感染症状的信息。采用卡方检验和二元逻辑回归评估CT和NG与年龄、性行为和自我报告症状等其他变量之间的关联。
CT和NG的总体患病率分别为6.3%和2.6%。CT患病率最高的是15至19岁年龄组，而只有15至39岁的个体NG呈阳性。CT与年龄、避孕措施使用及其他评估变量之间无关联。另一方面，仅通过卡方检验发现NG与年龄、生育次数和性伴侣数量有关。
与之前在加纳非泌尿生殖系统血吸虫病地区的高风险人群中进行的研究相比，我们的研究显示CT和NG感染的患病率更高。因此，我们建议对该国泌尿生殖系统血吸虫病流行地区的这些性传播感染进行进一步研究。
