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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 13(5)

Prevalence and risk factors of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis and other sexually transmissible infections among women attending antenatal clinics in three provinces in Papua New Guinea: a cross-sectional survey

Lisa M. Vallely A B E , Pamela Toliman B , Claire Ryan B C , Glennis Rai B , Johanna Wapling B C , Carolyn Tomado B , Savarina Huliafi B , Gloria Munnull B , Patricia Rarau B , Suparat Phuanukoonnon B , Handan Wand A , Peter Siba B , Glen D. L. Mola D , John M. Kaldor A and Andrew J. Vallely A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Public Health Interventions Research Group, Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Wallace Wurth Building, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.

B Sexual and Reproductive Health Unit, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Homate Street, Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province 441, Papua New Guinea.

C The Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Vic. 3004, Australia.

D Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The University of Papua New Guinea, PO Box 320, University 134, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea.

E Corresponding author. Email: lvallely@kirby.unsw.edu.au

Sexual Health 13(5) 420-427 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH15227
Submitted: 20 November 2015  Accepted: 18 April 2016   Published: 2 June 2016

Abstract

Background: Papua New Guinea (PNG) is estimated to have among the highest prevalences of HIV and sexually transmissible infections (STIs) of any Asia-Pacific country, and one of the highest burdens of maternal syphilis globally. The prevalence of curable STIs, such as Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), among pregnant women in PNG is relatively unknown. Methods: A cross-sectional bio-behavioural survey to investigate the epidemiology of CT, NG, TV and other STIs among pregnant women in three provinces of PNG was undertaken. Women aged 18–35 years attending their first antenatal clinic visit were invited to participate. Participants completed a short interview and provided self-collected vaginal specimens for CT, NG and TV laboratory-based nucleic acid amplification tests and a venepuncture specimen for laboratory testing for syphilis and Herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) serology. Routine antenatal assessment was conducted according to national guidelines, including HIV counselling and testing and point-of-care syphilis screening. Results: A total of 765 women were enrolled. Overall, 43% (95% confidence interval (CI): 39.2–46.4) had one or more of CT, NG or TV infection. CT was the most prevalent STI (22.9%, 175/765; 95% CI: 19.9–25.9), followed by TV (22.4%, 171/765; 95% CI: 19.4–25.4), and NG (14.2%, 109/765; 95% CI: 11.7–16.7). The prevalence of active syphilis was 2.2% (17/765; 95% CI: 1.2–3.3), HSV-2 was 28.0% (214/765; 95% CI: 24.8–31.2) and HIV, 0.8% (6/765; 95% CI: 0.2–1.4). Prevalences were highest among primigravid women, women aged <25 years, and among those in Central Province. Conclusion: High prevalences of curable genital STIs were observed among women attending routine antenatal clinic services in PNG. These infections have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and could be important contributors to poor maternal and neonatal health in this setting.


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