title: Prevalence and etiologic agents of female reproductive tract infection among in-patients and out-patients of a tertiary hospital in Benin city, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reproductive tract infections are public health problems in women of reproductive age and can result in serious consequences if not treated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence and causes of reproductive tract infections among in-patients and out-patients attending a tertiary health institution in Benin City. The antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of bacterial agents will also be determined.
  
  
  METHODS
  High vaginal swabs or endocervical swabs and blood were collected from 957 patients consisting of 755 out-patients and 202 in-patients. The swabs were processed and microbial isolates identified using standard technique. Disc susceptibility tests were also performed on microbial isolates. The blood samples were used for serological diagnosis of syphilis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in the prevalence of female reproductive tract infections between in-patients (52.48%) and out-patients (47.02%), although in-patients showed a significantly higher risk of developing mixed infections (in-patients vs. out-patients; 34.91% vs. 22.25%, OR = 1.873 95% CI = 1.169, 3.001; P = 0.01). Candida albicans was the most prevalent etiologic agent among out-patients studied while Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent etiologic agent among in-patients. Trichomonas vaginalis was observed only among out-patients. Ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin were the most active antibacterial agents. Syphilis was not detected in any patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An overall prevalence of 48.17% of female reproductive tract infection was observed among the study population. Although there was no significant difference between in-patients and out-patients, in-patients appeared to have 1-3-fold increase risk of developing mixed infections. The most prevalent etiologic agent differs between in-patients and out-patients. Despite the high activity of ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin against bacterial isolates from both in-patients and out-patients, prudent use of antibacterial agents is advocated.
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, P.M.B. 1111, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Omoregie
authors.forename: Christopher Aye
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Egbe
authors.forename: Isaac Ohiorenuan
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Igbarumah
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ogefere
authors.forename: Evelyn
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Okorie