Gynaecological morbidity among HIV positive pregnant women in Cameroon.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the prevalence of gynaecological conditions among HIV infected and non-infected pregnant women.


METHODS
Two thousand and eight (2008) pregnant women were screened for HIV, lower genital tract infections and lower genital tract neoplasia at booking antenatal visit.


RESULTS
About 10% (198/2008) were HIV positive. All lower genital tract infections except candidiasis were more prevalent among HIV positive compared to HIV negative women: vaginal candidiasis (36.9% vs 35.4%; p = 0.678), Trichomoniasis (21.2% vs 10.6%; p < 0.001), gonorrhoea (10.1% vs 2.5%; p < 0.001), bacterial vaginosis (21.2% vs 15.2%; p = 0.026), syphilis (35.9% vs 10.6%; p < 0.001), and Chlamydia trachomatis (38.4% vs 7.1%; p < 0.001). Similarly, HIV positive women more likely to have preinvasive cervical lesions: low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) (18.2% vs 4.4%; p < 0.001) and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (12.1% vs 1.5%; p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that (i) sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common in both HIV positive and HIV negative pregnant women in Cameroon, and (ii) STIs and preinvasive cervical lesions are more prevalent in HIV-infected pregnant women compared to their non-infected compatriots. We recommend routine screening and treatment of STIs during antenatal care in Cameroon and other countries with similar social profiles.
Mbu
Enow R
ER
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Yaounde I, Cameroon. rembu20012000@yahoo.com
Kongnyuy
Eugene J
EJ
Mbopi-Keou
F X
FX
Tonye
Rebecca N
RN
Nana
Philip N
PN
Leke
Robert J I
RJ