Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Reproductive Tract Infections among Pregnant Women in Ten Communes in Nghe An Province, Vietnam

BACKGROUND: A community-based survey was conducted to investigate reproductive tract infections (RTIs) among pregnant women in Vietnam, where epidemiologic data on these infections are scarce. METHODS: The focus of the study were: candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis, group B streptococcal infection, trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, syphilis, and hepatitis B. In addition to their prevalence, a generalized estimating equation was used to analyze infection-associated factors and diagnostic test analysis to examine the accuracy of currently performed presumptive clinical diagnoses. RESULTS: Among 505 pregnant women in 10 communes, 182 (36%) had at least one infection with a wide regional variation in prevalence. The most prevalent infection was candidiasis (17%); sexually transmitted infections were rare except hepatitis B (10%); and the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis and group B streptococcal infections was 7% and 4%, respectively. Two factors were associated with the decreased risk of endogenous infections: a higher household assets score (odds ratio [OR] = 0.67) and condom use (OR = 0.15). Not living with a husband (OR = 1.55) was associated with an increased risk. For hepatitis B, three factors were associated with a decreased risk: employment by the government (OR = 0.26), higher education (OR = 0.18), and being older at the time of first sexual intercourse (OR = 0.58). Women’s self-reported symptoms and clinical findings had low positive predictive values. Only clinical findings from the vaginal wall showed both a sensitivity and specificity over 50%. CONCLUSIONS: Suggested recommendations are: extensive application of microscopic diagnosis, prevention of hepatitis B transmission, and addressing the issues of regional differences in the prevalence of RTI and of less wealthy people.