Genital tract infections among HIV-infected pregnant women in Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia

Int J STD AIDS. 2008 Dec;19(12):824-32. doi: 10.1258/ijsa.2008.008067.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence and factors associated with genital tract infections among HIV-infected pregnant women from African sites. Participants were recruited from Blantyre and Lilongwe, Malawi; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; and Lusaka, Zambia. Genital tract infections were assessed at baseline. Of 2627 eligible women enrolled, 2292 were HIV-infected. Of these, 47.8% had bacterial vaginosis (BV), 22.4% had vaginal candidiasis, 18.8% had trichomoniasis, 8.5% had genital warts, 2.6% had chlamydia infection, 2.2% had genital ulcers and 1.7% had gonorrhoea. The main factors associated with genital tract infections included genital warts (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.8, 95% CI 1.2-2.7), genital ulcers (AOR 2.4, 95% CI 1.2-5.1) and abnormal vaginal discharge (AOR 2.5, 95% CI 1.9-3.3) for trichomoniasis. BV was the most common genital tract infection followed by candidiasis and trichomoniasis. Differences in burdens and risk factors call for enhanced interventions for identification of genital tract infections among HIV-infected women.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Genital Diseases, Female / complications
  • Genital Diseases, Female / epidemiology*
  • Genital Diseases, Female / etiology
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • Humans
  • Malawi / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / virology*
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Tanzania / epidemiology
  • Young Adult
  • Zambia / epidemiology