Prevalence and Risk Factors of Trichomoniasis, Bacterial Vaginosis, and Candidiasis for Married Women of Child-Bearing Age in Rural Shandong

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence rates and risk factors for reproductive tract infections (RTIs) among married women of reproductive age in a rural area of Shandong Province in China. A population-based cohort of 4,039 married women of reproductive age was cluster-randomly selected from the local birth control registry. All subjects underwent clinical and microbiological tests and an interview in the form of a standardized questionnaire. The prevalences of trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis (BV), and candidiasis as diagnosed by clinical tests were 2.8, 5.9, and 3.1%, respectively. The infection rates of Trichomonas, BV, and Candida were 2.9, 6.6, and 3.9%, respectively. The infection rates of gonorrhea and syphilis were low and no cases of HIV infection were found. After adjustment for confounding factors the risk factors for trichomoniasis were income higher than $200, lack of knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases, and marriage to a businessmen. For candidiasis the risk factors were three or more abortions, income higher than $200, age of 30 - 39 years, and women with extramarital sex partner(s). For BV the risk factors were three or more abortions and age of 30 - 39 years. The prevalence of RTI/sexually transmitted infection (STI) and the risk behavior observed in this study indicate a need for primary programs to prevent the increase of RTI/STI and HIV infections in rural areas.