Prevalence of lower genital tract infection among women attending maternal and child health and family planning clinics in Hanoi, Vietnam.
To determine the prevalence of lower genital tract infection (LGTI) with Candida spp, Trichomonas vaginalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and bacterial vaginosis among symptomatic and asymptomatic women attending maternal and child health and family planning (MCH/FP) clinics in Hanoi, Vietnam. A multi-centered, cross-sectional descriptive study stratified by reported symptoms of vaginal discharge was carried out in three MCH/FP clinics among 1,000 women aged 18-44 years in 1998. Of these, 89.1% lived in Hanoi, 97.6% were currently married, and 99.2% had only one sexual partner in the past 12 months. Regarding their contraceptive use, 28.2% did not use any contraception, 25.6% used an intrauterine device (IUD), 22.8% used condoms, and 23.4% used other methods. The overall prevalence of Candida spp was 11.1% (95% CI = 9.1-13.1%); T. vaginalis, 1.3% (95% CI = 0.6-2.0%); no gonococcal infection was found; the prevalence of C. trachomatis was 4.4% (95% CI = 3.1-5.7%); and of bacterial vaginosis, 3.5% (95% CI = 2.4-4.6%). The presence of LGTI was not associated with reported symptom of vaginal discharge. LGTI was common among married and monogamous women attending MCH/FP clinics in Hanoi, of whom many used IUDs and may have an increased risk of complications in the presence of LGTI. The lack of association between symptoms and laboratory-confirmed infection underscores the challenge of diagnosing LGTI when laboratory testing is not available.
Anh
Phan Kim
PK
Institute for the Protection of Mother and Newborn (IPMN), Hanoi, Vietnam.
Khanh
Nguyen Thi Ngoc
NT
Ha
Dinh Thu
DT
Chien
Do Thi
DT
Thuc
Pham Thi
PT
Luong
Pham Hien
PH
Kilmarx
Peter H
PH
Wongchotigul
Varee
V
Kitayaporn
Dwip
D
Rowe
Patrick J
PJ
D000328:Adult; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002648:Child; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D014247:Trichomonas Vaginitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D014744:Vietnam / Q000453:epidemiology