Risk factors associated with gonorrhea and chlamydia transmission in selected health facilities in Ghana

BMC Infectious Diseases

Cynthia Kwakye¹  Nehkonti Adams²  Christopher Anthony Duplessis²  John Nii Ayite Carroll³  Eric Garges⁴  Naiki Attram⁵  Andrew Gordon Letizia⁵  Nicholas N. A. Kyei⁶  Edward Owusu Nyarko⁶  Selassie Kumordjie⁷  Kwasi Kennedy Addo⁷  Eric Behene⁷  Helena Dela⁷ 

[1] 0000 0001 0582 2706, grid.434994.7, Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana;0000 0001 0639 7318, grid.415879.6, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, USA;Airforce Medical Center, Takoradi, Ghana;Silver Spring, USA;US Naval Medical Research Unit 3 Ghana Detachment, Accra, Ghana;grid.460805.f, 37 Military Hospital, Accra, Ghana;grid.462644.6, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), Legon, Ghana;

关键词: Gonorrhea;    Chlamydia;    Ghana;    Risk factors;    STIs;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12879-019-4035-y

来源: publisher

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundUnderstanding the underlying epidemiology that shapes Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC), and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections can contribute to data driven policies directed towards curbing the proliferation of these pathogens in Ghana. Information on the symptoms and risk factors for STIs will help to identify high-risk individuals which will in turn inform STI syndromic management and tailor the use of public health resources.MethodsParticipants were from 4 military clinics and 1 civilian STI clinic in Ghana and eligible if they had symptoms suggestive of STI. First void urine samples were collected and tested with Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT). A structured questionnaire was administered to all participants. Multivariate logistic regression identified factors associated with infection, separately for NG and for CT and for men and women.ResultsA total of 950 patients, 58% of whom were females were enrolled, 28% had gonorrhea and 11% had chlamydia with more males testing positive than females. Reported symptoms that were more common among patients who tested positive for gonorrhea were painful urination and urethral discharge (all P values < 0.05). Additionally, multiple sexual partners and alcohol use were statistically associated with higher rates of gonorrhea in males while only the frequency of condom use was associated with gonorrhea for females. None of the symptoms or risk factors except marital status was associated with testing positive for chlamydia.ConclusionIdentifying these symptoms and risk factors help inform health care delivery systems for STIs in Ghana. Furthermore, men and women presenting with these symptoms and risk factors are a prime target for public health education campaigns, aimed at curbing the spread of gonorrhea and chlamydia infections.

【 授权许可】

CC BY