Human Papilloma Virus, Risk Factors and Sequelae: How much do Female Adolescents in Port Harcourt Metropolis know?

Background: Human Papilloma virus (HPV) infection is the most common viral infection of the genital tract; is sexually transmitted with the highest rates observed in young women. This study assessed the level of knowledge of HPV and cervical cancer among adolescent girls in Port Harcourt metropolis, Nigeria. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey among 328 in-school female secondary school students aged 9 - 19 years, selected via multi-stage sampling. Information on socio-demographics, knowledge of HPV and cervical cancer and sexual history were collected using a self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23 and Chi square test was used to establish associations. Results: Only 38.2% and 30% had heard of cervical cancer and HPV respectively; the media being the most common source. Knowledge of transmission, risk factors, sequelae and prevention of infection was poor (75%). About 20.2% were aware of the causal association between HPV infection and cervical cancer. Some (3.1%) were sexually exposed and practiced unprotected sexual intercourse. Median age at sexual debut was 11 years. Older and private school students (15-19years) had better knowledge Conclusion: The level of knowledge of HPV, cervical cancer, their association and risk factors, among adolescent girls in Port Harcourt metropolis is poor. Some adolescents engage in sexual practices that put them at risk for HPV infection. Social media and upper primary and secondary school-based approach to HPV health promotion should be explored to provide detailed adolescent-friendly information to guide in prevention of HPV infection and cervical cancer.

Bacterial isolates associated with pelvic inflammatory disease among female patients attending some hospitals in Abuja, Nigeria

Background: Pelvic inflammatory disease refers to any infection in the female lower reproductive tract that spreads to the upper reproductive tract. The disease comprises a spectrum of inflammatory disorders of the upper female genital tract; including any combination of endometritis; salpingitis; tubo-ovarian abscess and pelvic peritonitis. PID is not a notifiable disease in most countries; so accurate statistics are not available. This situation is not in any way different here in Nigeria and more so in the Federal Capital Territory; Abuja where this research was conducted; there had never been any published report so far on PID. It therefore became pertinent that such studies be carried out to evaluate the bacterial organisms which may be associated with the disease in this part of Nigeria so that health care providers could take a better look at this affliction in women. Materials and Methods: Endocervical swabs totalling 100 were aseptically collected from patients with confirmed Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID); attending some hospitals in Abuja; Nigeria for detection of bacterial pathogens based on cultural and biochemical characterisation tests. Antibiogram was also conducted on the identified bacterial isolates. Results: Out of the 100 samples analysed; 43 yielded pure cultures of bacterial isolates; 2 yielded mixed cultures while no bacterial growths were recorded from the remaining 55 samples. Organisms encountered were Staphylococcus aureus (16); Escherichia coli (10); Streptococcus faecalis (8); Pseudomonas aeruginosa (4); Streptococcus pyogenes (3); Klebsiella pneumoniae (3); Proteus rettgeri (2) and Proteus mirabilis (1). The highest percentage occurrence of pathogenic isolates was observed in polygamous married patients (90). The age group most affected falls within the mean age 30.5 years (68) while the least affected group falls within the mean age 40.5 years (5). There was a significant difference in the acquisition of PID in relation to marital status (P 0.05). However there was no significant difference in the acquisition of the disease with respect to age (P 0.05). Antibiogram patterns of pathogenic isolates revealed varied resistance to most of the antibiotics employed. Cefotaxime (a new generation cephalosporin antibiotic) was established in this study as the best antimicrobial agent for treatment of PID due to Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria isolated from the women examined. Conclusion: In conclusion; Pelvic inflammatory disease is a major health problem in developed or developing countries of the world. PID is not a notifiable disease; as accurate statistics on disease prevalence are rarely available. There is therefore no doubt thousands of young women have salpingitis every year and their sheer number makes it an important health problem. PID hence can be said to be a very serious complication of sexually transmitted disease which should be critically and promptly handled by healthcare providers. The right type sample should be aseptically collected and be appropriately handled for laboratory investigation. Treatment of PID should be initiated as soon as the presumptive diagnosis has been made. Immediate administration of antibiotics has been effective in the long-term sequelae associated with PID; especially new generation antibiotics; such as cefotaxime as recorded in this study

Reproductive health issues and incidence of some reproductive tract infections among muslim women in Purdah in Jos-Nigeria

Candidiasis and Trichomoniasis are the commonest Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs) amongst women in purdah in the capital city of Jos- Nigeria. Majority of these women (68) have primary education as the highest educational qualification and majority of them (92) are full time house wives. The study has also revealed that there is a high level (57) delay in seeking for reproductive health needs ; which were only remedied due to persistence of symptoms. This gives us the inference as to the myriad of sequalae that might have resulted in cases of asymptomatic RTIs. The most reproductive health needs of women in purdah are inadequate facilities in clinics/hospitals. This factor as well as other factors such as poor education; unilateral decision making by some men in purdah in matters of reproductive needs; misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the Qu'ran have immensely contributed to the increasing cases of RTIs among these women. These problems can be reduced to the minimum by educating both the men and the women in purdah with the best medium being the radio/television programs

Schistosomiasis and Water-Related Practices in School Girls in Rural Kwazulu-Natal; South Africa

Abstract:There is increasing evidence of an association between female genital Schistosoma haematobium infection and HIV. In KwaZulu-Natal; we aimed to explore girls' water contact practice and to determine whether a study exclusively on girls would be manageable and welcomed. Three primary schools that had participated in a parasite control programme eight years prior were approached. Subject to consent; girls aged 9 to 12 years were interviewed on water-body contact; symptoms and household composition. Urine samples were analysed for S. haematobium infection eggs. Good dialogue was achieved in all schools and 95 consented to had an S. haematobium infection; geometric mean intensity 10.5 ova per 10 ml urine. Only 12participation; 43 had ever been treated for S. haematobium. Water-body contact was significantly associated with S. haematobium (OR 2.8; 95 CI 1.3-5.9; p= 0.008); however; S. haematobium was also found in 20 of girls who claimed to never have had water-body contact. Sixty-four percent thought they had no choice but to use unprotected water; 21 had no mother in the household; and being an orphan increased the risk of having S. haematobium. The community welcomed the study. Prevalence levels in South Africa are so high that some communities are eligible for WHO-recommended regular mass treatment