Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among antenatal women in Vanuatu, 1999-2000

Abstract

Background: The epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV in Vanuatu is poorly defined. Goal: The goal was to determine the prevalence of laboratory-confirmed gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, syphilis seroreactivity, and HIV among pregnant women in Vila, Vanuatu. Study Design: A cross-sectional survey of 547 pregnant women attending a first-visit antenatal hospital clinic in Vila. Laboratory testing included polymerase chain reaction on tampons for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis; testing of sera for syphilis with rapid plasmid reagin; and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for HIV. Results: The prevalence of trichomoniasis was 27.5% (150); of chlamydia, 21...