title: Chlamydia Trachomatis and Neisseria Gonorrhoeae prevalence among women of reproductive age living in urogenital schistosomiasis endemic area in Ghana.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many studies have shown an overlap in the epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and urogenital schistosomiasis among young women living in schistosomiasis endemic areas. Yet we found no study assessing the prevalence of STI infections in urogenital schistosomiasis endemic areas in Ghana. As part of an epidemiological study on urogenital schistosomiasis and HIV, we sought to assess the prevalence of both Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorhoeae (NG) infections among women living in schistosomiasis endemic communities and explore the relationship between the sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and demographic characteristics, sexual behaviour and self-reported symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study in which endocervical samples were collected from 191 women aged 15-49 years from October 2005 to March 2006. Samples were examined for CT and NG using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). A structured questionnaire was also used to elicit information on study participant's gynaecological and obstetric history and symptoms for genital infection. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to assess association between CT and NG and other variables such as age, sexual behaviour and self-reported symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall prevalence of CT and NG were 6.3% and 2.6% respectively.The highest prevalence rates of CT were in the 15 to 19 year group while only individuals between 15 and 39 years were positive for NG. There was no association between CT and age, contraceptive use and the other variables assessed. NG on the other hand was found to be associated with age, number of births and number of sexual partners only by chi-square test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our research revealed higher prevalence of CT and NG infections when compared to previous studies conducted among higher risk groups in non-urogenital schistosomiasis areas in Ghana. We therefore recommend further studies of these STIs in urogenital schistosomiasis endemic areas in the country.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Environment and Sanitation Studies, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana. dzidzoy@staff.ug.edu.gh.
authors.forename: Dzidzo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yirenya-Tawiah
authors.forename: Ted N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Annang
authors.forename: Kwesi A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Apea-Kubi
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lomo
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mensah
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Akyeh
authors.forename: Kwabena M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Bosompem
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult