Prevalence of the most common Reproductive Tract Infections among women attending family Planning clinics in Montazah-Alexandria

Background: The global burden of reproductive tract infections (RTIs) is enormous and of a major public health concern, particularly in developing countries where RTIs are endemic. RTIs constitute the second major cause of disease burden (after maternity related causes) in young adult women in developing countries. Aim of work: To measure the prevalence of Candida albicans, Trichomonas vaginalis and Bacterial vaginosis among married women and to identify some factors associated with them. Subject and methods: a cross sectional descriptive study was conducted in four health centers in El -Montazah health district-Alexandria. All women seeking family planning services at these clinics were included in the study till fulfilling the calculated sample size. An interview questionnaire, clinical examination and laboratory diagnosis were implemented on studied participants. Result: The study revealed that 484/615 (78.7%) studied women had at least one type of reproductive tract infections based on laboratory test. Candida albicans constituted (48.1%),
Bacterial Vaginosis constituted (28.9%), mixed Candidiasis and Bacterial Vaginosis constituted (15.4%) Trichomonas vaginalis constituted (4.1%) mixed Trichomonas and Candidiasis and / or Bacterial Vaginosis constituted (3.3%). Education and employment were found to be significantly associated with reproductive tract
infections however age and parity were not significantly associated with RTIs. Conclusion: RTIs are prevalent among women attending the family planning clinics. Both education and employment influence the presence of RTIs.Recommendation: As family planning is often a woman's primary, and sometimes sole contact with the health care system; it is recommended to integrate RTI saeening & management with family planning services