Sexually Transmitted Infections
Volume 84, Issue 2, 2008, Pages 126-132

Reproductive tract infections including sexually transmitted infections: A population-based study of women of reproductive age in a rural district of Vietnam (Article)

Lan P.T. , Srålsby Lundborg C. , Phuc H.D. , Sihavong A. , Unemo M. , Chuc N.T.K. , Khang T.H. , Mogren I.
  • a Division of International Health, Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Viet Nam, Division of International Health (IHCAR), Karolinska Institutet, SE 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
  • b Division of International Health, Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, Nordic School of Public Health and Apoteket AB, Göteborg, Sweden
  • c Institute of Mathematics, Hanoi, Viet Nam
  • d Division of International Health, Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, Vientiane Capital Health Department, Ministry of Health, Laos
  • e Department of Clinical Microbiology, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden
  • f Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Viet Nam
  • g Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Viet Nam, National Institute of Dermato-Venereology, Hanoi, Viet Nam
  • h Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Epidemiology and Public Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the prevalences of reproductive tract infections (RTI)/sexually transmitted infections (STI) among married women in a rural district of Vietnam, and analyse the influence of socioeconomic, sociodemographic, and other determinants possibly related to RTI/STI. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study. Married women aged 18-49 years (n = 1012) were interviewed and underwent a gynaecological examination. Specimens were collected for laboratory diagnosis of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomonas, bacterial vaginosis (BV), candidiasis, hepatitis B, HIV, and syphilis. Results: In total, 37% of the women were clinically diagnosed with an RTI/STI. Aetiologically confirmed RTI/STI was identified in 39% of the women (including 6% with STI). Endogenous infections were most prevalent (candidiasis 26%, BV 11%) followed by hepatitis B 8.3%, Chlamydia trachomatis 4.3%, Trichomonas vaginalis 1%, Neisseria gonorrhoeae 0.7%, genital warts 0.2%, and HIV and syphilis 0%. Fifty per cent of the STI cases were asymptomatic. Younger age and intrauterine devices were significantly associated with an increased risk of BV. Determinants of candidiasis were vaginal douching, high education level and low economic status, whereas a determinant of chlamydia was high economic status. Outmigration of the husband was associated with an increased risk of hepatitis B surface antigen seroposivity among women. Conclusions: RTI/STI were prevalent among married women in a rural population of Vietnam. Syndromic algorithms should be consistently supplemented by risk assessment in order to reduce under and overtreatment. Microscopic diagnosis could be applied in primary care settings to achieve more accurate diagnoses. The promotion of health education aimed at reducing RTI/STI prevalences is an important tool in STI/HIV control programmes. Vaccination to prevent hepatitis B for migrants should be considered.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Vietnam rural area laboratory diagnosis regression analysis Human immunodeficiency virus infection Respiratory Tract Infections population based case control study married woman community care human middle aged rural population controlled study priority journal rural health gynecologic infection statistical significance sexually transmitted disease Cross-Sectional Studies interview Sexually Transmitted Diseases cross-sectional study gonorrhea Humans Adolescent female Viet Nam socioeconomics Syphilis prevalence Article gynecological examination candidiasis major clinical study adult vaginitis hepatitis B surface antibody trichomoniasis hepatitis B intrauterine contraceptive device high risk patient chlamydiasis

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-41849129929&doi=10.1136%2fsti.2007.027821&partnerID=40&md5=25e9dd0e94eb528b6f3bab4a93efbb6b

DOI: 10.1136/sti.2007.027821
ISSN: 13684973
Cited by: 43
Original Language: English