Acceptability and Feasibility of Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing and Treatment among Pregnant Women in Gaborone, Botswana, 2015.
BACKGROUND
Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) are curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that can cause adverse maternal and birth outcomes. Most countries do not conduct routine testing during antenatal care. We present data on the acceptability and feasibility of testing and treating pregnant women for STIs in an antenatal clinic in Gaborone, Botswana.


METHODS
We offered CT, NG, and TV testing using self-collected vaginal swabs to eligible pregnant women. Participants received same-day test results. Those who tested positive were given treatment.


RESULTS
Among the 225 women who were eligible and recruited, 200 (89%) agreed to participate. The median age of our study sample was 30 years; most were unmarried (77%), with a median gestational age of 27 weeks and a 23% HIV prevalence. All participants received their results with at least 72% (n = 143) on the same day. Thirty participants (15%) tested positive for an STI, all were treated, and 24 (80%) were treated on the same day.


CONCLUSIONS
The acceptability of STI testing was high, and the intervention was feasible. This study provides support for continued research into STI prevalence, cost-effectiveness, and the association of STIs with adverse maternal and infant outcomes.
Department of Health Policy and Management, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, 650 Charles Young Dr. S., 31-269 CHS, P.O. Box 951772, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772, USA.
Adriane
A
Wynn
Botswana-UPenn Partnership, 244G UB Main Campus, Gaborone, Botswana; University of Botswana, 4775 Notwane Road, Gaborone, Botswana.
Doreen
D
Ramogola-Masire
Princess Marina Hospital, Phologolo Extension 9, Gaborone, Botswana.
Ponatshego
P
Gaolebale
University of Botswana, 4775 Notwane Road, Gaborone, Botswana.
Neo
N
Moshashane
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science, 1731 E. 120th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA; David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Ogechukwu
O
Agatha Offorjebe
David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Kaitlin
K
Arena
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Epidemiology, David Geffen School of Medicine and Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, CHS 13-154a, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Jeffrey D
JD
Klausner
Botswana-UPenn Partnership, 244G UB Main Campus, Gaborone, Botswana; EGA Institute for Women's Health and Institute for Global Health, University College London, 74 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6AU, UK; Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, University of Witwatersrand, 58 Klein Street, Johannesburg 2001, South Africa.
Chelsea
C
Morroni
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001902:Botswana; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D055815:Young Adult