Etiologic study of genitourinary infections in women of childbearing age in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, 1992.

ABSTRACT

PIP: Genitourinary infections have a major impact upon public health, especially in Africa. This paper describes findings from a study conducted to describe the etiology of such infections in Bobo-Dioulasso, to establish the sensitivity of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to antibiotics, and to provide epidemiologic and biologic evidence to optimize the treatment of genitourinary infections. The findings are based upon clinical and biologic diagnoses among 223 women with genitourinary infections. Study found the following etiologies: trichomoniasis in 27.8%, chlamydia in 26.9%, bacterial vaginosis in 19.7%, candidiasis in 16.6%, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection in 10.9%. HIV antibodies were present in 42% of patients. The authors recommend spectinomycin or ceftriaxone for the treatment of gonorrhea in Bobo-Dioulasso. Moreover, that the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis is higher than that of Neisseria gonorrhoeae should be taken into account when managing STDs in this setting.