Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Related Sexual Behaviour among Pregnant Women 18-49 years Old Attending Antenatal Clinic at a Primary Health Care in Maseru, Lesotho

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of STIs among pregnant women attending Antenatal care (ANCs) clinics in Maseru remains unknown. Therefore, there is a need to determine the prevalence of STIs among pregnant women attending ANC in Maseru and to assess their sexual behaviour. Methodology: A quantitative cross-sectional survey methodology using medical records and patient surveys were conducted. Firstly, the records of pregnant women attending ANC at three clinics-Queen Elizabeth, Seventh Day Adventist, and Thamae clinic from March to May 2021 were used to determine the prevalence of STIs, including HIV. A count of all records with an STI diagnosis and syndromic management regimen over three months was performed. Prevalence was determined by calculating the quotient of STI-positive records over all the records for three months. Secondly, a cross-sectional descriptive study of the same pregnant women was used to assess their sexual behaviors. Both the patient record for STI data and the questionnaires for sexual behaviors were included. Overall, 405 pregnant women were investigated at the three clinics in Maseru, Lesotho. Results: The prevalence of STIs including HIV in the three clinics over the three month period was found to be high. The prevalence of STIs in the Seventh Day Adventist clinic was the highest of the three clinics. The prevalence varied across three months with cumulative prevalence of 17.0%, 8.7%, and 9.7% respectively. The overall cumulative and comparative prevalence in the three months and in the three clinics was 12.2% for STIs against 29.0% for HIV. There was low uptake of STI treatment, inconsistent use of condoms, and the practice of having multiple sexual partners among pregnant women. Conclusion: The prevalence of STIs including HIV in the three clinics was found to be high. The inconsistent use of condoms and the practice of having multiple sexual partners were found to be the main predictors of STI and HIV acquisition among pregnant women in these three clinics.