P03.19 Screening for sexually transmitted infections in adolescent girls and young women in mombasa, kenya

Abstract

Introduction As adolescents and young women become sexually active, they are at risk of adverse reproductive health outcomes including sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We assessed feasibility and acceptability of STI screening among 15-24 year-old women in Mombasa County, Kenya. Methods Participants were recruited from three high schools and one university. Study staff conducted informational sessions. Students interested in participating were given informed assent/consent forms to take home, and asked to visit our clinic for STI screening. During clinic visits, participants completed a selfadministered questionnaire and provided a urine specimen to test for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Trichomonas vaginalis using the Hologic Aptima Detection System. Results Between August 2014 and March 2015, 463 high school and 165 university students collected assent/consent forms. Of these, 293 (63%) from high schools versus 158 (95%) from university attended clinic for STI screening (p < 0.001). Of the 153 (34%) who reported any history of insertive vaginal sex, 76 (50%) reported condom use, and 31 (20%) reported hormonal contraceptive use at the last sex act. Twenty-six (5.8%) students had STIs (7 [1.6%] with N. gonorrhoeae, 16 [3.6%] with C. trachomatis and 3 [0.7%] with T. vaginalis). Older age (OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.07-1.53), reporting vaginal sex (OR 5.89; 95% CI 2.42-14.36), non-penetrative sex (OR 3.47; 95% CI 1.56-7.75), alcohol use (OR 3.34; 95% CI 1.26-8.87), smoking (OR 5.82; 95% CI 1.12-30.37), chewing khat (OR 3.19; 95% CI 1.27- 8.01), and being at university rather than high school (OR 4.58; 95% CI 1.94-10.79) were associated with increased likelihood of STI (p