TY - JOUR
T1 - Hookworm infections and sociodemographic factors associated with female reproductive tract infections in rural areas of the central region of Togo
AU - Holali Ameyapoh, Adjoa
AU - Katawa, Gnatoulma
AU - Ritter, Manuel
AU - Tchopba, Christèle Nguepou
AU - Tchadié, Pélagie Edlom
AU - Arndts, Kathrin
AU - Kamassa, Hélène E
AU - Mazou, Bassimtou
AU - Amessoudji, Oukoe M
AU - N'djao, Akawulu
AU - Agoro, Sibabe
AU - Vogelbusch, Celina
AU - Omondi, Millicent A
AU - Kolou, Malewe
AU - Karou, Simplice D
AU - Horsnell, William
AU - Hoerauf, Achim
AU - Ameyapoh, Yaovi
AU - Layland, Laura E
PY - 2021/11/3
Y1 - 2021/11/3
N2 - Female reproductive tract infections (FRTIs) have a huge impact on women's health including their reproductive health in rural areas. Immunomodulation by helminth infections could influence the occurrence of FRTIs. This study aimed to investigate the association between FRTIs, hookworm infections, and sociodemographic factors in six rural areas of the central region of Togo. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographical information, and parasitological assessments were used to diagnose helminth infections. Moreover, cytobacteriological examination of vaginal swabs was performed for the diagnosis of candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis (BV), and real-time PCR method was used to determine sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Finally, a logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship and association of these factors to FRTIs. The prevalence of FRTIs was 82.3% including STIs (74.38%), BV (31.79%), and vulvovaginal candidiasis (9.85%). In detail, FRTIs were caused by bacteria such as Ureaplasma parvum (50%), Ureaplasma urealyticum (26.5%), and Mycoplasma hominis (17.5%) and viruses such us cytomegalovirus (5%) and human papilloma virus (HPV) (20%). No cases of Haemophilus ducreyi, Treponema pallidum, or varicella-zoster virus (VZV) were observed. Interestingly, women who had hookworm infections were at high risk of HPV. The use of condoms was a protective factor [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.23; 95% CI [0.11-0.51)], while the use of contraceptive methods was a risk factor [aOR = 2.49; 95% CI (1.19-5.19)] for STIs. The risk of BV was lower among participants who had more than four pregnancies [aOR = 0.27; 95% CI (0.11-0.65)]. Furthermore, women who had ever been paid for sexual intercourse were at high probability risk of vulvovaginal candidiasis [aOR = 16.92; 95% CI (1.46-196.48)]. This study highlighted risk factors associated with FRTIs, the control of which would help to reduce the incidence of these diseases. Health-care professionals could develop education and sensitization strategies based on these risk factors, and anti-hookworm treatment concepts may be taken into consideration to minimize the risk of HPV infections.
AB - Female reproductive tract infections (FRTIs) have a huge impact on women's health including their reproductive health in rural areas. Immunomodulation by helminth infections could influence the occurrence of FRTIs. This study aimed to investigate the association between FRTIs, hookworm infections, and sociodemographic factors in six rural areas of the central region of Togo. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographical information, and parasitological assessments were used to diagnose helminth infections. Moreover, cytobacteriological examination of vaginal swabs was performed for the diagnosis of candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis (BV), and real-time PCR method was used to determine sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Finally, a logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship and association of these factors to FRTIs. The prevalence of FRTIs was 82.3% including STIs (74.38%), BV (31.79%), and vulvovaginal candidiasis (9.85%). In detail, FRTIs were caused by bacteria such as Ureaplasma parvum (50%), Ureaplasma urealyticum (26.5%), and Mycoplasma hominis (17.5%) and viruses such us cytomegalovirus (5%) and human papilloma virus (HPV) (20%). No cases of Haemophilus ducreyi, Treponema pallidum, or varicella-zoster virus (VZV) were observed. Interestingly, women who had hookworm infections were at high risk of HPV. The use of condoms was a protective factor [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.23; 95% CI [0.11-0.51)], while the use of contraceptive methods was a risk factor [aOR = 2.49; 95% CI (1.19-5.19)] for STIs. The risk of BV was lower among participants who had more than four pregnancies [aOR = 0.27; 95% CI (0.11-0.65)]. Furthermore, women who had ever been paid for sexual intercourse were at high probability risk of vulvovaginal candidiasis [aOR = 16.92; 95% CI (1.46-196.48)]. This study highlighted risk factors associated with FRTIs, the control of which would help to reduce the incidence of these diseases. Health-care professionals could develop education and sensitization strategies based on these risk factors, and anti-hookworm treatment concepts may be taken into consideration to minimize the risk of HPV infections.
KW - central region of Togo
KW - female reproductive tract infections
KW - helminth infections
KW - risk factors
KW - rural areas
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85119448972&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fmicb.2021.738894
DO - 10.3389/fmicb.2021.738894
M3 - Article
C2 - 34803955
SN - 1664-302X
VL - 12
JO - Frontiers in Microbiology
JF - Frontiers in Microbiology
M1 - 738894
ER -
