scholarly journals Sexually Transmitted Infections and Behavioral Determinants of Sexual and Reproductive Health in the Allahabad District (India) Based on Data from the ChlamIndia Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre P. M. Thomas ◽  
Jay Yadav ◽  
Rajiv Kant ◽  
Elena Ambrosino ◽  
Smita Srivastava ◽  
...  

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), like Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (CT and NG, respectively) are linked to an important sexual and reproductive health (SRH) burden worldwide. Behavior is an important predictor for SRH, as it dictates the risk for STIs. Assessing the behavior of a population helps to assess its risk profile. Methods: Study participants were recruited at a gynecology outpatient department (OPD) in the Allahabad district in Uttar Pradesh India, and a questionnaire was used to assess demographics, SRH, and obstetric history. Patients provided three samples (urine, vaginal swab, and whole blood). These samples were used to identify CT and NG using PCR/NAAT and CT IgG ELISA. Results: A total of 296 women were included for testing; mean age was 29 years. No positive cases of CT and NG were observed using PCR/NAAT. A 7% (22/296) positivity rate for CT was observed using IgG ELISA. No positive association was found between serology and symptoms (vaginal discharge, abdominal pain, dysuria, and dyspareunia) or adverse pregnancy outcomes (miscarriage and stillbirth). Positive relations with CT could be observed with consumption of alcohol, illiteracy, and tenesmus (p-value 0.02–0.03). Discussion: STI prevalence in this study was low, but a high burden of SRH morbidity was observed, with a high symptomatic load. High rates of miscarriage (31%) and stillbirth (8%) were also observed among study subjects. No associations could be found between these ailments and CT infection. These rates are high even for low- and middle-income country standards. Conclusion: This study puts forward high rates of SRH morbidity, and instances of adverse reproductive health outcomes are highlighted in this study, although no associations with CT infection could be found. This warrants more investigation into the causes leading to these complaints in the Indian scenario and potential biases to NAAT testing, such as consumption of over-the-counter antimicrobials.

2013 ◽  
Vol 123 (3) ◽  
pp. 183-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sami L. Gottlieb ◽  
Lori M. Newman ◽  
Avni Amin ◽  
Marleen Temmerman ◽  
Nathalie Broutet

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Binezero Mambo ◽  
Franck K. Sikakulya ◽  
Robinson Ssebuufu ◽  
Yusuf Mulumba ◽  
Henry Wasswa ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic threatens access to sexual and reproductive health services. With global health emergencies, there is often a total reversal of priorities and access to sexual and reproductive health services may become challenging. The aim of this study was to establish the problems related to sexual and reproductive health among Ugandan youths during the COVID-19 lockdown. MethodsThis was an online cross-sectional study carried out from April 2020 to May 2020 in Uganda. An online questionnaire was used and participants aged 18years to 30 years recruited using the snowballing approach. The statistical analysis was done using STATA version 14.2.Results Out of 724 participants, 203 (28%) reported not having information and/or education concerning sexual and reproductive health (SRH). About a quarter of the participants (26.9%, n=195) reported not having testing and treatment services of sexually transmitted infections available during the lockdown. Lack of transport means was the commonest (68.7%) limiting factor to access to SRH services during the lockdown followed by the long distance from home to SRH facility (55.2%), high cost of services (42.2%) and curfew (39.1%). Sexually transmitted infections were the commonest (40.4%) problem related to SRH during the lockdown followed by unwanted pregnancy (32.4%) and sexual abuse (32.4%). The multivariate regression analysis shows that problems were more prevalent among the co-habiting youth [APR: 2.3 (1.6 - 3.29), p<0.001] followed by unemployed (volunteer or unpaid) [APR: 1.6 (1.03 - 2.64), p: 0.037] than in other participants. ConclusionsThe findings of this study show that Ugandan youths have accessing SRH information and services during the COVID-19 lockdown. Cohabiting and unemployed participants were the most affected. Lack of transport means and high cost of services were the major limiting factors to access SRH services among the youths. The findings call for concerted efforts from the Uganda government and international non-governmental organisations to ensure access and availability of SRH services for Ugandan youths during the COVID-19 lockdown.


Author(s):  
Ndola Prata ◽  
Karen Weidert

Adolescence, spanning 10 to 19 years of age, begins with biological changes while transitioning from a social status of a child to an adult. For millions of adolescents in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), this is a period of exposure to vulnerabilities and risks related to sexual and reproductive health (SRH), compounded by challenges in having their SHR needs met. Globally, adolescent sexual and reproductive ill-health disease burden is concentrated in LMICs, with sexually transmitted infections and complications from pregnancy and childbirth accounting for the majority of the burden. Adolescents around the world are using their voices to champion access to high-quality, comprehensive SRH information and services. Thus, it is imperative that adolescents’ SRH and rights be reinforced and that investments in services be prioritized.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Binezero Mambo ◽  
Franck K. Sikakulya ◽  
Robinson Ssebuufu ◽  
Yusuf Mulumba ◽  
Henry Wasswa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted health care access in many countries. The aim of this study was to explore factors that influenced access and utilisation of sexual and reproductive health services among Ugandan youths during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Methods This was across-sectional study carried out from April 2020 to May 2020 in Uganda. A questionnaire was administered online to participants aged 18 to 30 years. Subjects were recruited using a snowballing approach. STATA version 14.2 was used for statistical analysis.Results Of 724 participants, 203 (28%) reported that they did not have access to information and/or education concerning sexual and reproductive health (SRH). More than a quarter of the participants (26.9%, n=195) reported that testing and treatment services of sexually transmitted infections were not available during the lockdown. 27.2% could not obtain contraceptive supplies. Access to HIV services and menstrual supplies were also impaired. Lack of transportation was the commonest factor cited as limiting access to SRH services during the lockdown (68.7%), followed by the long distance from home to SRH facilities (55.2%), high cost of services (42.2%) and the curfew (39.1%). Sexually transmitted infections were the commonest SRH problems related to SRH during the lockdown (40.4%) followed by unwanted pregnancy (32.4%) and sexual abuse (32.4%). Marital, educational, and employment status were significantly correlated with the reported experiences of the participants. Conclusion Access to SRH information and services for Ugandan youths was restricted during the COVID-19 lockdown and may have increased the incidence of poor SRH outcomes. Lack of transportation, distance to health facilities, and high cost of services were important limiting factors. The Government and other stakeholders should incorporate SRH among the priority services to be preserved during future outbreaks.


Author(s):  
Mariana Arantes Nasser ◽  
Maria Ines Battistella Nemes ◽  
Marta Campagnoni Andrade ◽  
Rogério Ruscitto do Prado ◽  
Elen Rose Lodeiro Castanheira

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to assess performance in sexual and reproductive health of primary health care services of the Brazilian Unified Health System, in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS An evaluative framework was built for sexual and reproductive health with the categorization of 99 indicators in three domains: sexual and reproductive health promotion (25), sexually transmitted infections/AIDS prevention and care (43), and reproductive health care (31). This framework was applied to assess the services responses to the questionnaire of Quality Evaluation of Primary Health Care in the Municipalities of São Paulo State (QualiAB), in 2010. Percentages were calculated for positive responses to indicators and performance in the sexual and reproductive health dimension, according to domains, and their contribution to the overall score in sexual and reproductive health (Friedman), relative participation (Dunn), and correlation (Spearman) was verified. RESULTS Overall, 2,735 services participated in the study. They were located in 586 municipalities (distributed throughout the 17 regional health departments of São Paulo), of which 70.6% had fewer than 100,000 inhabitants. The overall average performance of these services for sexual and reproductive health is 56.8%. The actions are characterized by: prenatal with adequate beginning and exams, better organization for immediate rather than for late postnatal care, and selective reproductive planning for some contraceptives; prevention based on specific protection, limitations in the prevention of congenital syphilis, in the treatment of sexually transmitted infections, and in the screening of cervical and breast cancer; specific educational activities, with a restricted vulnerability approach, focus on sexuality over reproduction. The domain of reproductive health has greater participation in the overall score, followed by prevention/care and promotion. The three domains are correlated; the domain of prevention/care has the highest correlation with the other ones. CONCLUSIONS The implementation of sexual and reproductive health in primary health care in the services studied is incipient. The revision of the purpose of the work, the dissemination of technologies, and the investing in permanent education are needed. The evaluative framework built can be used by the sexual and reproductive health program services and management in primary health care, thereby contributing to their actions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Esther Simon Yiltok ◽  
Augustine Odo Ebonyi ◽  
Emeka Uba Ejeliogu

Objectives: Adolescents grow to experience both emotional and sexual changes that occur at this stage in life. During this stage, these adolescents have increased experimentation, including sexuality, this also affects HIV-positive adolescents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sexual and reproductive health of HIV-positive adolescents. Material and Methods: A semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain relevant information from adolescents who were enrolled into the study over a 6 months period. Information obtained included the bio-data, menstruation, sexual activity, HIV status of partner, use of contraceptives, abortion, and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results: One hundred and forty-seven HIV-positive adolescents were recruited into the study, males were 56 (38.1%), while females were 91 (61.9%). Fifty-nine (64.8%) of the females have started menstruating, out of which nine (6.1%) of them were sexually active. All those that were sexually active did not know the HIV status of their partners. Four (44.4%) of those who were sexually active use contraceptives, while three became pregnant out of wedlock and one had an abortion. Three (33.3%) of the sexually active adolescents had sexually transmitted infection. None of the 46 early adolescents was sexually active, but three out of the 71 middle adolescents and 6 out of the 30 late adolescents were sexually active. Conclusion: HIV-positive adolescents engage in sexual activities which are sometimes risky, just like other adolescents. The consequences of such acts include unplanned pregnancies and abortions in addition to sexually transmitted infections. Therefore, additional programs/interventions should be put in place to address these observations as well as prepare them as they transit to adulthood.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maya Hamdanieh ◽  
Louna Ftouni ◽  
Bara’a Al Jardali ◽  
Racha Ftouni ◽  
Chaymaa Rawas ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Sexual and reproductive health (SRH), a globally recognized fundamental health concern and a basic human right is poorly addressed and seldom researched in the Arab world. Disregarding this aspect of health creates various obstacles to accessing SRH related services and education. This threatens the health of a female, namely through increasing the probability of unplanned pregnancies and unsafe abortions, augmenting the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections, and most importantly, increasing the hazard of maternal and neonatal death. Thus, this study aimed to assess the level of SRH related knowledge and awareness among single unmarried women living in Lebanon. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire in both English and Arabic languages. The questionnaire included 9 sections; socio-demographic characteristics section, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) section, premarital tests section, vaccines section, menstruation and its abnormalities section, pregnancy symptoms and identification section, methods of contraception section, vitamins section, and honeymoon events section. The questionnaire was distributed among all Lebanese governorates to 491 single unmarried women living in Lebanon aged between 17 and 55 years. Student t-test and Chi-Square test were used to analyze results. Results It was found that only 8.8% of all the participants had adequate knowledge. The highest level of SRH related knowledge was about pregnancy (88.0%), and the least was about contraception (13.5%). Most of the knowledgeable participants lived in Beirut governorate (13.6%, n = 8) and had reached universities (10.3%, n = 41), but this was not statistically significant (p-value > 0.05). The effect of a prior visit to a gynecologist was statistically non-significant on the overall level of knowledge (p-value = 0.269). Conclusion Due to the inadequate level of knowledge, SRH education campaigns empowered by the Ministry of Public Health in collaboration with primary care physicians and gynecologists, are recommended in both the societal and academic sectors to enhance the awareness level and make SRH knowledge readily available among unmarried women aged between 17 and 55. Knowing the massive role of social media nowadays, the messages they present should contribute to enhancing the level of SRH knowledge and redirect attitudes and behaviors of unmarried females in Lebanon.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A B H Parenti ◽  
M A O Ignacio ◽  
T S Buesso ◽  
M A Santini ◽  
A T A R Cerqueira ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Literature points to a scarcity of studies on sexual health and risk behavior of women who have sex with women (WSW) living in low- and middle-income countries, reporting lack of knowledge, high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI), and low incidence of consistent use of protective barriers. Objective Analyze knowledge of WSW on STI and AIDS. Methods Cross-sectional study developed in São Paulo state, Brazil. The intentional sample consisted of 182 women (55 WSW and 127 women who have sex only with men - WSM). Data were obtained from April to December 2019 through a questionnaire with questions related to the sociodemographic variables and the validated instrument Sexually Transmitted Disease Knowledge Questionnaire (STD-KQ), which has 28 questions adapted to Brazilian Portuguese in order to assess knowledge on STI/AIDS. The percentage of correct responses in function of sexual orientation, correcting the confounding effects, was adjusted by using a multiple linear regression model. The analyses were performed using the software SPSS 22.0. This research was approved by the ethics committee under protocol number 3.320.951. Results Out of the 182 participants, those self-reported as white (79%) and the ones living with their partner (81%) were predominant. The median age was 26 years old (18-48) and the median number of completed years of studies was 14 (1-24). As for their knowledge on STI/AIDS, the average percentage of correct answers was 63%, which on average was 12% lower among WSW compared to WSM. Conclusions The data in the present research indicate the importance of implementing public policies concerning the sexual and reproductive health of WSW, especially aiming at knowledge on STI/AIDS and ways to prevent them. Key messages Importance of implementing public policies concerning the sexual and reproductive health of women who have sex with women. Scarcity of studies on sexual health and risk behavior of women who have sex with women.


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