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Dual prevalence of malaria, STIs observed in sub-Saharan African women
Data published online today indicate a high prevalence of malaria and sexually transmitted and reproductive tract infections among a large cohort of pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic in sub-Saharan Africa.
“The prevalence of malaria and curable sexually transmitted infections/reproductive tract infections among pregnant women attending prenatal care facilities in sub-Saharan Africa is alarming,” study researcher R. Matthew Chico, MPH, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, told Infectious Disease News. “Many of these diseases may be prevented or cured with the use of azithromycin-based combination treatment.”
Researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of malaria, STIs and reproductive tract infections among 340,904 pregnant women attending antenatal care facilities in sub-Saharan Africa.
Data were pooled from several databases and registries on 171 studies conducted between 1990 and 2011 reporting malaria, syphilis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis or bacterial vaginosis. Point prevalence estimates (n=307) were calculated for each study, and these data were used to generate pooled prevalence estimates.
In eastern and southern Africa, the pooled prevalence estimates for each disease were: 4.5% for syphilis, 3.7% for N. gonorrhoeae, 6.9% for C. trachomatis, 29.1% for T. vaginalis, 50.8% for bacterial vaginosis, 32% for peripheral malaria and 25.8% for placental malaria.
In western and central Africa, the pooled prevalence estimates for each disease were: 3.5% for syphilis, 2.7% for N. gonorrhoeae, 6.1% for C. trachomatis, 17.8% for T. vaginalis, 37.6% for bacterial vaginosis, 38.2% for peripheral malaria and 39.9% for placental malaria.
“Use of azithromycin-based therapy could have a profound effect on maternal, fetal and newborn health, helping countries to accelerate stalled progress toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals for maternal and child health,” Chico said.
References:
- Chico RM. JAMA. 2012;307:2079-2086.
Disclosures:
- Mr. Chico has received funding for studies by Pfizer and the Medicines for Malaria Venture.