An epidemiological survey of female reproductive health status: gynecological complaints and sexually-transmitted diseases

Abstract

An epidemiological survey of gynecological and sexually-transmitted diseases was conducted in 4 villages of Narmpong district, Khon Kaen, Thailand. It was focused on the reproductive health status of rural women. A mobile gynecological clinic was set up to collect materials and data including demographic characteristics, physical examination and specimen collection. Vaginal swabs were examined by microscope, Gram staining, pH measurement, KOH test and bacteriological cultivation. Endocervical swabs were examined for Chlamydia trachomatis, herpes simplex virus (HSV) and human papilloma virus (HPV) by polymerase chain reaction. Papanicolaou's test was applied for diagnosis of cytological abnormalities. Blood was tested by RPR and TPHA and urine was tested by LED test. The chief complaint was dysmenorrhea (44.8%). The others ranging from 43.4-3.0% were lower abdominal pain to genital ulcer. Prevalence of C. trachomatis, C. albicans, T. vaginalis, T. pallidum and G. vaginalis were found in 4.6, 10.9, 5.1, 2.7 and 1.0% of 586 women and HSV and HPV were found in 6.4% and 1.4% of 110 women, respectively. The three pathogens. C. trachomatis, C. albicans and T. vaginalis, were frequently found among women in the age of 20-49 years. The number of marriages and sex partners in the past year had an association with C. trachomatis infection while vaginal pH > 4.5, marital status, number of marriages and itching of genitalia had an association with T. vaginalis infection.