Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among antenatal women in Vanuatu, 1999-2000.
BACKGROUND
The epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV in Vanuatu is poorly defined.


OBJECTIVE
The goal was to determine the prevalence of laboratory-confirmed gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, syphilis seroreactivity, and HIV among pregnant women in Vila, Vanuatu.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey of 547 pregnant women attending a first-visit antenatal hospital clinic in Vila. Laboratory testing included polymerase chain reaction on tampons for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis; testing of sera for syphilis with rapid plasmid reagin; and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for HIV.


RESULTS
The prevalence of trichomoniasis was 27.5% (150); of chlamydia, 21.5% (117); of gonorrhea, 5.9% (32); and of syphilis, 13 (2.4%). No HIV cases were detected; 214 women (40%) had > or =1 STI. Young age and single marital status were both significantly associated with infection (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Chlamydial infection and trichomoniasis are hyperendemic among pregnant women in Vila. Young, single women are at greatest risk for infection.
Sullivan
Elizabeth A
EA
School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. e.sullivan@unsw.edu.au
Abel
Miriam
M
Tabrizi
Sepehr
S
Garland
Suzanne M
SM
Grice
Alan
A
Poumerol
Gilles
G
Taleo
Helene
H
Chen
Shujun
S
Kaun
Katimal
K
O'Leary
Michael
M
Kaldor
John
J
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D017533:Marital Status; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011295:Prenatal Care; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D009514:Vanuatu / Q000453:epidemiology