The supermarket for women's reproductive health: the burden of genital infections in a family planning clinic in Nairobi, Kenya.
Document Type
Article
Department
Obstetrics and Gynaecology (East Africa)
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
To study the burden of disease of reproductive tract infections (RTIs) and cervical dysplasia in women attending a family planning clinic in Nairobi, Kenya, and to assess the acceptability of integrating reproductive healthcare services into existing family planning facilities.
METHODS:
In a family planning clinic in Nairobi, Kenya, 520 women were enrolled in a study on RTI and cervical dysplasia.
RESULTS:
RTI pathogens were detected in over 20% of women, the majority being asymptomatic. HIV-1 testing was positive in 10.2%. The diagnosis of cervical dysplasia was made on 12% of the cytology smears (mild in 5.8%, moderate in 3.5%, severe in 1.2%), and 1.5% had invasive cervical cancer. The intervention of case detection of RTI and Papanicolaou smear taking was well received by clients and considered feasible by the staff.
CONCLUSIONS:
Early detection and treatment of potentially curable cervical lesions and RTI provide a unique opportunity to improve women's health. In Kenya, where the current contraceptive prevalence rate is 33%, family planning clinics are excellent sites to introduce health interventions.
Publication ( Name of Journal)
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Recommended Citation
Temmerman, M., Kidula, N., Tyndall, M., Rukaria-Kaumbutho, R., Muchiri, L., & Ndinya-Achola, J. O. (1998). The supermarket for women's reproductive health: the burden of genital infections in a family planning clinic in Nairobi, Kenya. Sexually transmitted infections, 74(3), 202-204.
Comments
This work was published before the author joined Aga Khan University.