The supermarket for women's reproductive health: the burden of genital infections in a family planning clinic in Nairobi, Kenya.
OBJECTIVE
To study the burden of disease of reproductive tract infections (RTIs) and cervical dysplasia in women attending a family planning clinic in Nairobi, Kenya, and to assess the acceptability of integrating reproductive healthcare services into existing family planning facilities.


METHODS
In a family planning clinic in Nairobi, Kenya, 520 women were enrolled in a study on RTI and cervical dysplasia.


RESULTS
RTI pathogens were detected in over 20% of women, the majority being asymptomatic. HIV-1 testing was positive in 10.2%. The diagnosis of cervical dysplasia was made on 12% of the cytology smears (mild in 5.8%, moderate in 3.5%, severe in 1.2%), and 1.5% had invasive cervical cancer. The intervention of case detection of RTI and Papanicolaou smear taking was well received by clients and considered feasible by the staff.


CONCLUSIONS
Early detection and treatment of potentially curable cervical lesions and RTI provide a unique opportunity to improve women's health. In Kenya, where the current contraceptive prevalence rate is 33%, family planning clinics are excellent sites to introduce health interventions.
Temmerman
M
M
Department Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ghent, Belgium.
Kidula
N
N
Tyndall
M
M
Rukaria-Kaumbutho
R
R
Muchiri
L
L
Ndinya-Achola
J O
JO
D000328:Adult; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D014626:Vaginal Smears; D016387:Women's Health; D014932:Women's Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data