Skip to main content
Article
Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevalence among Women at Risk for HIV Exposure Initiating Safer Conception Care in Rural, Southwestern Uganda
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
  • Pooja Chitneni, Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Mwebesa Bosco Bwana, Mbarara University of Science and Technology
  • Moran Owembabazi, Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Kasey O'Neil, Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Paul Kato Kalyebara, Mbarara University of Science and Technology
  • Winnie Muyindike, Mbarara University of Science and Technology
  • Nicholas Musinguzi, Massachusetts General Hospital
  • David R. Bangsberg, OHSU-PSU School of Public Health
  • Jeanne M. Marrazzo, The University of Alabama at Birmingham
  • Jessica E. Haberer, Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Angela Kaida, Simon Fraser University
  • Lynn T. Matthews, Massachusetts General Hospital
Document Type
Citation
Publication Date
8-1-2020
Abstract

Background Knowledge of sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence and risk factors is important to the development of tenofovir-based preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and safer conception programming. We introduced STI screening among women at risk for HIV exposure who were participating in a safer conception study in southwestern Uganda. Methods We enrolled 131 HIV-uninfected women, planning for pregnancy with a partner living with HIV or of unknown HIV serostatus (2018-2019). Women were offered comprehensive safer conception counseling, including PrEP. Participants completed interviewer-administered questionnaires detailing sociodemographics and sexual history. We integrated laboratory screening for chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and syphilis as a substudy to assess STI prevalence. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine correlates. Results Ninety-four women completed STI screening (72% of enrolled). Median age was 30 (interquartile range, 26-34) years, and 94% chose PrEP as part of safer conception care. Overall, 24% had STIs: 13% chlamydia, 2% gonorrhea, 6% trichomoniasis, 6% syphilis, and 3% ≥2 STI. Sexually transmitted infection prevalence was associated with younger age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77-0.99), prior stillbirth (AOR, 5.04; 95% CI, 1.12-22.54), and not feeling vulnerable to HIV (AOR, 16.33; 95% CI, 1.12-237.94). Conclusions We describe a 24% curable STI prevalence among women at risk for HIV exposure who were planning for pregnancy. These data highlight the importance of integrating laboratory-based STI screening into safer conception programs to maximize the health of HIV-affected women, children, and families.

Rights

Copyright © 2020 American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association. All rights reserved

DOI
10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001197
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/39057
Citation Information
Chitneni, Pooja MD∗,†; Bwana, Mwebesa Bosco MBChB, MPH‡,§; Owembabazi, Moran MPH§; O'Neil, Kasey MPH§; Kalyebara, Paul Kato MBChB, MMed‡; Muyindike, Winnie MBChB, MMed‡; Musinguzi, Nicholas MSc§; Bangsberg, David R. MD, MPH¶; Marrazzo, Jeanne M. MD, MPH∥; Haberer, Jessica E. MD, MPH§,∗∗; Kaida, Angela PhD††; Matthews, Lynn T. MD, MPH∗,∥ Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevalence Among Women at Risk for HIV Exposure Initiating Safer Conception Care in Rural, Southwestern Uganda, Sexually Transmitted Diseases: August 2020 - Volume 47 - Issue 8 - p e24-e28 doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001197