title: Vaginal infections in pregnant women in Jamaica: prevalence and risk factors.
abstract: Trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis (BV) and candidiasis are reproductive tract infections (RTIs) of the vagina. We conducted a cross-sectional study in 4 prenatal clinics in Kingston, Jamaica, to estimate the prevalence of these infections and the risk factors that may facilitate their transmission among pregnant women. Of the 269 women studied, 18.0% had culture-positive trichomoniasis, 44.1% had BV (Nugent score > or = 7) and 30.7% were positive for candidiasis by wet mount. A multiple logistic regression analysis showed that having a malodorous discharge was associated with trichomoniasis (odd ratios [OR]=3.9, confidence intervals [CI]=1.04-14.7) and BV (OR=3.4, CI=1.3-8.7). Women who took action to prevent HIV infection had lower BV prevalence (OR=0.34, CI=0.12-0.98). Women who were employed were less likely to have any of the infections (OR=0.61, CI=0.36-1.03). The strong association of a symptomatic presentation with trichomoniasis and BV suggests the merit of considering syndromic management of vaginitis in this population.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kamara
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hylton-Kong
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brathwaite
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Del Rosario
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kristensen
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Patrick
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Figueroa
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Vermund
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Jolly
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007563:Jamaica / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014247:Trichomonas Vaginitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission