Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis, sexually transmitted infections and their association with HPV infections in asymptomatic women attending antenatal care in Ethiopia.
Johanna M A Klein, Isabel Runge, Ann-Katrin Pannen, Tariku Wakuma, Semaw Ferede Abera, Adamu Adissie, Susanne Unverzagt, Markus Schmitt, Tim Waterboer, Daniela Höfler, Christoph Thomssen, Eva Johanna Kantelhardt
Author Information
Johanna M A Klein: Department of Gynaecology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale) 06097, Germany.
Isabel Runge: Department of Gynaecology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale) 06097, Germany.
Ann-Katrin Pannen: Department of Gynaecology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale) 06097, Germany.
Tariku Wakuma: Global Health Working Group, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale) 06097, Germany.
Semaw Ferede Abera: Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale) 06097, Germany.
Adamu Adissie: Global Health Working Group, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale) 06097, Germany.
Susanne Unverzagt: Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, Center of Health Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale) 06097, Germany.
Markus Schmitt: Infections and Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany.
Tim Waterboer: Infections and Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany.
Daniela Höfler: Infections and Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany.
Christoph Thomssen: Department of Gynaecology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale) 06097, Germany.
Eva Johanna Kantelhardt: Department of Gynaecology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale) 06097, Germany.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are common among women of reproductive age and can lead to infertility, adverse pregnancy outcomes, neonatal infections and cervical cancer. In countries with limited medical coverage, untreated infections contribute to high morbidity. This study aimed to expand the current knowledge on the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and STIs in pregnant Ethiopian women and assess the association of these conditions with HPV infections. Socio-demographic data and vaginal lavage samples were collected from 779 asymptomatic women aged 18 to 45 years (median age, 25.9 years) attending antenatal care in seven centres across Ethiopia. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction was used to test for BV, , , , herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1/2), , , and HPV. Overall, 26.8% (95% confidence interval (CI): 23.7-29.9) of women tested positive for BV or one of the following STIs: , , , , HSV-1/2 or . Additionally, 22.1% tested positive for at least one high-risk HPV type. and HSV-2 were significantly more common among women who were positive for HPV and high-risk HPV. This study reveals a high prevalence of asymptomatic pregnant women who are positive for BV, STIs or HPV, putting them at risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, secondary infertility or cervical cancer in a country with limited medical coverage. Screening and treating these women could be crucial in reducing morbidity.
