title: Prevalence and Associated Factors of Genital and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Married Women of Iran.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to determine the prevalence of genital and sexually transmitted infections and its related factors in married women in Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a cross-sectional study of 4 274 married women living in urban and rural areas of the Zanjan province from 2012 to 2013. We used stratified cluster sampling to select the participants. Data collection included demographic characteristics, reproductive status, and cervical cytology results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of lower genital infections and sexually transmitted infections were 20.1% and 7.4%, respectively. The most common vaginal infection was bacterial vaginosis with a prevalence of 8.5%, and the most common sexually transmitted infection wasTrichomonas vaginalis(1.4%). The use of the intrauterine device (IUD) as a contraceptive, living in an urban area, and experiencing vaginal discharge were significantly related to genital tract and sexually transmitted infections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was a high prevalence of genital infection among women living in Zanjab. Screening and treatment of genital infection are necessary to prevent adverse consequences in women who use an IUD or live in urban areas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
authors.forename: Elahe
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ahmadnia
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
authors.forename: Roghieh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kharaghani
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
authors.forename: Azam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maleki
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
authors.forename: Azar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Avazeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
authors.forename: Saeideh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mazloomzadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
authors.forename: Tahereh
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sedaghatpisheh
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jalilvand
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
authors.forename: Behnaz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Molae
keywords: Genital Infection; Iran; Pap Smear; Sexually Transmitted Diseases