Background Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remain a major public health problem in Africa. Indeed, they carried high morbidity and mortality in this region. The study aimed (1) to estimate the prevalence of STIs/genital infections in gynecological admissions at Gabriel Toure Teaching Hospital; (2) assess the association between HIV and STIs/genital infections.

Methods We carried out a cross-sectional study using a gynecological admissions database at Gabriel Toure Teaching Hospital, from January 1st, 2006 to December 31st, 2010. We estimated the prevalence of STIs and genital infections. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to estimate the Adjusted Odds Ratios (aOR) of HIV infection and risk factors with 95% Confidence Interval (95%CI). STIs and genital infections were the main exposure variables.

Results Among 9112 women admitted in a gynecological unit, 2240 women have laboratory test. Of these, STIs (Chlamydia trachomatis and Trichomonas vaginalis) prevalence were 7.8%, genital infection such as candida albicans (CA) represented 40.0%, bacterial vaginosis (G. vaginalis, U. urealiticum and M. hominis), 36.2%, while E. coli, Enterobacter and Enterococcus represented together 3.8%. STIs prevalence was higher in women aged 20 to 40 years old compared to adolescent (<20 years) and older women (>40), 6.0%% vs 1.9%, respectively. A same figure was observed with non-STIs. We noted a higher prevalence of STIs in cervicitis cases (11.8%). According to HIV status, CA was the main infection observed with a frequency of 60.0% in HIV+, 51.8% in HIV- and 36.3% in undetermined HIV status. The main risk factor associated with HIV infection was polygamous couple compared to monogamy (aOR = 4.87; 95%CI: 1.02 – 23.22).

Conclusion Women aged 20 to 40 years old carry the highest burden of genital infection at Gabriel Toure Teaching Hospital. CA was the most associated with HIV infection.

Disclosure No significant relationships.