Sero-epidemiological study of three sexually transmitted infections: Chlamydia Trachomatis, Hepatitis B, Syphilis. A case study conducted at the Nkoldongo District Hospital in Yaoundé

Abstract

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections are still frequent in developing countries and particularly in Cameroon. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of the following sexually transmitted infections: viral hepatitis B, Chlamydia trachomatis and syphilis in a population of women spontaneously visiting the Nkoldongo District Hospital in Yaoundé as well as to evaluate possible co-infections among these three conditions and to bring out women’s prior knowledge of how sexual transmission occurs. Methods: We conducted a prospective and descriptive study including 182 women aged between 18 and 48 years. These women underwent serologic testing for Chlamydia trachomatis with ELISA (General Biological Corp laboratory test kit. Hepatitis B virus was detected using immunochromatographic method (Human laboratory kit) while syphilis was detected using RPR agglutination (Biocentric Laboratories kit)and TPHA agglutination (Human laboratory kit) method. Results: Our results showed that the distribution of Chlamydia trachomatis, viral hepatitis B and syphilis was 22.52%, 4.39%, 0.54% respectively. Moreover, we reported a Chlamydia trachomatis and Viral hepatitis B coinfection rate of 2.74%. In addition, Chlamydia trachomatis reinfection was detected in 4.94% of cases. Regarding the mode of transmission of these infections, 67.57% and 70.87% of women didn’t know how Chlamydia trachomatis and viral hepatitis sexual transmission could occur respectively, while 91.2% of women knew how was syphilis spread. Conclusion: The diagnosis of chlamydia trachomatis infection should prompt screening for viral hepatitis B.