title: Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus (GBS)) colonisation and persistence, in pregnancy; a comparison of two diverse communities (rural and urban).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To establish the extent of GBS colonisation, persistence of colonisation in pregnancy and influence of obstetric history in two diverse communities (rural and urban) in Zimbabwe.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rutsanana Clinic in Highfield, Harare (representing the urban area) and Chitsungo Mission Hospital in Lower Guruve, (representing the rural area).
  
  
  METHODS
  300 and 100 pregnant women from the urban and rural areas respectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  GBS colonisation and persistence rates for both urban and rural areas were established, together with pregnancy outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mother colonisation rate was significantly higher in the rural areas (60%) as compared to the urban areas (46%). GBS colonisation persistence was evidently more in rural (48%) that in urban women (12%). Baby colonisation was also more in the rural (23%) that in urban area (5%). In both the rural and urban areas, flu-like illness was a common feature and was equally reported by the subjects. Vaginal discharge requiring treatment, previous stillbirths and previous miscarriages were equally reported in both communities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare.
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Mavenyengwa
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Masunga
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Meque
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kudinha
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Moyo
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bevanger
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bergh
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nziramasanga
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mapako
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014505:Urban Population; D015030:Zimbabwe