RESUMO
Aims: The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of Chlamydia trachomatis infections in a group of women visiting different Units in a referral Hospital from Spain Study Design: This was a hospital retrospective and descriptive study for the presence of C. trachomatis in endocervical, vaginal and urine swabs obtained from consecutive sexually active women attendees at different Units. Also their medical records were reviewed. Retrospective ethical approval was granted by the Ethical Committee of Clinical Investigation of Principality of Asturias. Place and Duration of Study: Units of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Infertility of Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, between January 2007 to December 2011. Methodology: We included 1997 symptomatic and asymptomatic unselected women (mean age 29.1 range 18 to 45 years) who were evaluated for urogenital chlamydial infection. Results: The overall prevalence of C. trachomatis was 6.3%. The C. trachomatis infection had the highest prevalence among the age group below 25 years of age (n=30, 7.5%). Genotypes E, G and D constitute 89.4% of the genotyped strains. Infections with genotypes G and F were more often (n=31, 42%) associated with clinical manifestations that suggest cervical infection and genotype E was observed more frequently (n=17, 85%) in asymptomatic women. Conclusions: In our study, similar prevalence rates between both symptomatic and asymptomatic women, under 25 years, were found. Self-collected vaginal swabs are an appropriate alternative for routine diagnosis of C. trachomatis infection. The findings of this work highlighted the need for a possible Chlamydia screening program, offered especially in younger women. Delays in seeking a diagnosis and treatment among asymptomatic females can result in increased transmission of this bacterium and its serious consequences for women reproductive health.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections remain one of the predominant health issues that affect young adults. The aim of this study is to assess the level of knowledge, the attitudes and misconceptions of medical students at a Caribbean University towards STIs and condom use. METHOD: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among medical students by employing semi-structured questionnaires. RESULTS: Out of 150 questionnaires, 130 were completed, showing a response rate of 87%. The ages of the respondents ranged from 19 to 45 years with a mean age of 26 (SD 5.2) years. The findings indicated that the knowledge of students concerning STIs is high (95.4%). Twenty-four (18.5%) of the respondents had experienced vaginal/penile discharge following sexual intercourse over the last 6 months. The correlation of beliefs in condom usage and risky behaviour gives an odds ratio of 0.19 indicating a lower use of condoms among the students. A negative attitude towards condom usage was seen in 3.8% of the respondents. The main reason for condom usage was to prevent unwanted pregnancy and not to prevent contracting sexually transmitted infections. CONCLUSION: The knowledge of students about STIs in this study was found to be high, however, risky behaviour such as having sexual intercourse with commercial sex-workers and regular unprotected sexual activities were identified although the prevalence of such behaviour was found to be low. We therefore recommend that behaviour modification programmes with regard to sex education and condom usage be implemented for the medical students as they are to be the future educators of the public on these matters.
ANTECEDENTES: Las infecciones de transmisión sexual siguen siendo uno de los problemas de salud predominantes que afectan a los adultos jóvenes. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el nivel de conocimientos, actitudes y concepciones erróneas de estudiantes de medicina en una universidad caribeña hacia las ITS y el uso del condón. MÉTODO: Se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo transversal entre los estudiantes de medicina empleando cuestionarios semiestructurados. RESULTADOS: De 150 cuestionarios, se completaron 130, para una tasa de respuesta de 87%. Las edades de los encuestados fluctuaron de 19 a 45 años con una edad promedio de 26 (SD 5.2) años. Los hallazgos indicaron que el conocimiento de los estudiantes acerca de las ITSs es alto: (95.4%). Veinticuatro (18.5%) de los encuestados habían experimentado descarga vaginal/uretral tras el acto sexual durante los últimos 6 meses. La correlación de creencias en el uso del condón y comportamiento de riesgo arrojó un cociente de probabilidades (odds ratio) de 0.19, lo que indica un uso menor de condones entre los estudiantes. En 3.8% de los encuestados se observó una actitud negativa hacia el uso del condón. La razón principal para el uso del condón era prevenir embarazos no deseados y no el evitar contraer infecciones de transmisión sexual. CONCLUSIÓN: Se halló que el conocimiento de estudiantes sobre las ITSs en este estudio fue alto. Sin embargo, se identificaron comportamientos de riesgo tales como el acto sexual con las trabajadoras del comercio sexual y las actividades sexuales regulares sin protección, aunque se halló que la prevalencia de estos tipos de comportamiento era baja. Por consiguiente, recomendamos que se pongan en práctica programas dirigidos a la modificación de conductas en relación con la educación sexual y el uso del condón para los estudiantes de medicina, ya que estos van a ser los futuros educadores del público en estos asuntos.