Aw. Sturm et al., PREGNANT-WOMEN AS A RESERVOIR OF UNDETECTED SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASES IN RURAL SOUTH-AFRICA - IMPLICATIONS FOR DISEASE-CONTROL, American journal of public health, 88(8), 1998, pp. 1243-1245
Objectives. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of s
exually transmitted diseases (STDs) in pregnant women in rural South A
frica and to determine the value of using abnormal urogenital symptoms
to identify infected women. Methods. This was a cross-sectional study
of 327 patients attending prenatal clinics. Results. Of the 271 women
with complete data, 141 (52%) had at least 1 STD and 49 (18%) had mor
e than 1. Abnormal symptoms were common (n = 225; 83%), but associatio
ns were weak, and the positive predictive value of different symptoms
for infection ranged from 2% to 54%. Conclusions. Most STDs in rural S
outh African women remain undetected and untreated. As the scope for l
aboratory diagnosis in resource-poor settings is limited, presumptive
treatment of pregnant women and their partners may be a cost-effective
option to reduce transmission of STDs and HIV infection.