Bacterial, viral and fungal genital tract infections in Palestinian pregnant women in Gaza, Palestine.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pregnant women may be at high risk to be infected with one of sexually transmitted diseases. Of the sexually transmitted infections childbearing women, Chlamydia trachomatis, Human papilloma virus (HPV) and Candida albicans are of special importance. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Human papilloma virus (HPV) and Candida albicans among pregnant women attending child and mother health center in Gaza. METHODS: The present study included 423 pregnant women aged 16 to 50 years old, who were attending child and mother care center in Gaza. Their complaints included vaginal discharge and signs suggestive of acute and chronic cervicitis. Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis, Human papilloma virus and C. albicans was carried out using standard methods. RESULTS: The prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis was 35 (8.3%), Human papilloma virus 55 (13%) and Candida albicans 22 (5.2%). Chronic cervicitis was highly correlated to HPV. The pregnant women> 50 years of age were found to be the highest group infected with C. trachomatis, Human papilloma virus and C. albicans. Different results were obtained when STIs were correlated to years where some improvement in primary healthcare and private clinics had been established as has been noticed lately in Gaza Strip, beside the easy accessible to these services for women. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that these sexually transmitted infections are common among pregnant women in Gaza and that these need more investigations using advanced techniques.