Trichomoniasis in pregnant human immunodeficiency virus-infected and human immunodeficiency virus-uninfected congolese women: prevalence, risk factors, and association with low birth weight.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to assess the prevalence of and risk factors for vaginal trichomoniasis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected and human immunodeficiency virus-uninfected pregnant Congolese women and its relationship to pregnancy outcomes.


METHODS
We performed a nested case-control study of 215 infected and 206 uninfected mothers who responded to questionnaires, underwent sexually transmitted disease testing (including culture for trichomoniasis shortly after delivery), and underwent assessment of infant outcomes. Maternal variables and birth outcomes were assessed according to presence or absence of trichomoniasis and human immunodeficiency virus.


RESULTS
Trichomoniasis was present in 18.6% of human immunodeficiency virus-positive and 10.2% of human immunodeficiency virus-negative women, respectively (odds ratio, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-3.6), and was significantly associated with low birth weight (odds ratio, 2.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-4.5). In multivariate analyses trichomoniasis remained associated with low birth weight, and adjustments were made for other risk factors associated with low birth weight.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest an association between trichomoniasis and low birth weight independent of human immunodeficiency virus infection and other risk factors. Further studies are needed to assess the impact of antenatal screening and treatment for trichomoniasis on pregnancy outcomes.
Sutton
M Y
MY
Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
Sternberg
M
M
Nsuami
M
M
Behets
F
F
Nelson
A M
AM
St Louis
M E
ME
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015023:Democratic Republic of the Congo / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; D012307:Risk Factors; D014245:Trichomonas Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis