Prevalence study of genital tract infections in pregnant women referred to health centers in Iran

Abstract

Aim: Background and aim: Pregnancy has its own complications such as premature rupture of membranes, preterm delivery, premature birth, low-birth-weight children, and infection. This study aimed to determine the prevalence rate of reproductive tract infections among pregnant women. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 85 randomly selected pregnant women referred to the ambulatory care facilities of Ardal County, Iran, were recruited via a systematic classified random sampling. Questionnaires, clinical examination by midwives, and laboratory assessments were used to gather the required data. Results: According to the laboratory tests, 71.76% of samples were infectious. Candida albicans (35.76%), Escherichia coli (17.97%), and Streptococcus (13.06%) were the most observed infections, with a higher prevalence rate of reproductive tract infections during the second half of pregnancy compared to the first half. Conclusion: Since the prevalence rate of vaginal infections was high among pregnant women, and apparent symptoms and clinical examinations alone could not be used for diagnosing these infections, considering vaginal tests during pregnancy in addition to other routine tests could be helpful. © TÜBİTAK.