Sexually transmitted infection associated syndromes among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in southwest Ethiopia

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are widely reported in pregnant women in Africa and can cause significant maternal and perinatal morbidity. The availability of epidemiologic data on STIs and their associated factors in pregnant women is critical to developing effective prevention strategies. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with sexually transmitted infection-associated syndromes among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics at selected public health facilities in southwest Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 303 pregnant women who attended ANC between November 1 and 30, 2018. The consecutive sampling technique was employed until the required sample size was reached. The data were collected using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire. Bi-variable and multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify independent variables associated with the outcome of interest. The level of significance was declared at a p-value < 0.05. Results: Of the 303 respondents surveyed, STI-associated syndromes had a prevalence of 19.1% (95% CI: 14.7%- 23.5%). Nearly one-tenth (8.9%) of the respondents had vaginal discharge syndrome followed by lower abdominal or pelvic pain (7.6%). The study also found that being unmarried (AOR = 5.61, 95% CI [2.34-9.36]), not formally educated (AOR = 2.24, 95% CI [1.58-3.86]), having multiple sexual partners in the past 3 months (AOR = 3.93, 95% CI [1.44-5.23]), history of spontaneous abortion (AOR = 4.48, 95% CI [2.21-7.72]), and history of STI (AOR = 3.76, 95% CI [2.24-6.46]) were the factors associated with STI-associated syndromes. Conclusion: The prevalence of STI-associated syndromes among respondents was 19.1%. The study found that being unmarried, not formally educated, having multiple sexual partners, history of spontaneous abortion, and history of STI were largely accountable for the occurrence of STI-associated syndromes in the study sample. Therefore, in addition to the one-time assessment of HIV and syphilis at the first ANC visit, there is a need to emphasize the syndromic approach diagnosis of STIs among pregnant women during each ANC visit to reduce and ultimately prevent both vertical and horizontal transmissions of STIs.