title: "Hidden" sexually transmitted infections among women in primary care health services, Amazonas, Brazil.
abstract: This study describes the prevalence of infection by Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Trichomonas vaginalis in a female population in Amazonas, Brazil. We collected cervical samples from 361 women examined at 10 primary care health services in the city of Coari, Amazonas, Brazil. The women were interviewed about socio-economic data, clinical history and sexual behaviour. Pelvic examinations were performed and cervical specimens were collected for detection of pathogens by PCR. The prevalence of infection was: 12.7% for Trichomonas vaginalis, 6.4% for Chlamydia trachomatis and 1.4% for Neisseria gonorrhoeae. There were no statistically significant associations between infections by any of the pathogens nor by any pathogen alone with any clinical variable, socio-demographic data or sexual behaviour. This study draws attention to the need for surveillance and possible need for screening for Chlamydia trachomatis, which often progresses asymptomatically. For the significant prevalence found, attention should also be given to asymptomatic infection by Trichomonas vaginalis, since this pathogen has recently been implicated as a risk factor for HIV infection.
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Amazonas, Coari/AM, Brazil dannyodonto@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Danielle Albuquerque Pires
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Amazonas, Coari/AM, Brazil.
authors.forename: Roberto Alexandre Alves Barbosa
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Filho
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Amazonas, Coari/AM, Brazil.
authors.forename: Josiane Montanho
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mariño
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Amazonas, Coari/AM, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cristina Maria Borborema
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: dos Santos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000469:parasitology; D014247:Trichomonas Vaginitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Brazil; Chlamydia trachomatis; Neisseria gonorrhoeae; PCR; Sexually transmitted infection; Trichomonas vaginalis; epidemiology; prevalence