[Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) among pregnant women in Sejoumi-Tunisia : 400 cases]

This article discusses a short-term prospective study on sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) among married women of reproductive age (MWRA) of the delegation of Sejoumi in Tunisia and among pregnant women who visit the peripheral health centers of that delegation. The objectives defined in this study are aimed at measuring the prevalence of STDs and determining their etiology and then proposing a model for management of STDs in accordance with the results of the study. The survey involved 3 groups of women GI: group of 100 women who consult for pregnancy monitoring GII: group of 200 MWRA who consult for various infectious genital pathologies and GIII which is composed of 100 MWRA whose reason for consultation is control of a contraceptive method. The study selected the women according to predetermined criteria of inclusion and exclusion and the instruments used are based on a questionnaire permitting the collection of information on the identification of the women through their medical-surgical and gyneco-obstetrical histories on clinical and gynecological exams and cervical vaginal and blood samples which are studied in the microbiology and parasitology laboratories. The statistical analysis is conducted on the Epi-info 6 software and the results obtained are compared to those of control women. The returned results show that for identification of women 91.5% are between 20 and 39 years old 60% have a primary level of education and the socioeconomic level is moderate in 50.5% and low in 46.7%. The gyneco-obstetrical histories show that 66.7% have not used any contraceptive method and that 73.3% of the women have had no episode of STD while 22.8% have had 1 to 2 episodes and 3.9% have had 3 episodes or more. The results of the samples show that at direct examination candidiases are found in 33.5% of cases including 22.9% candida albicans trichomonas vaginalis is found in 1% of cases. Concerning variations in STD with women in the control group candidiases are significantly more common among pregnant women just as is chlamdyia which is positive in 21.9% versus 9.5% of cases among the control cases the HBs antigen is equivalent in both groups with 6.6% in pregnant women versus 6.3% in control women. At the end of this study the authors encourage discussion on the syndromic approach for appropriate management of STDs.