Female Genital Schistosomiasis, Genital Tract Infections and HIV Co-infection in the Volta Basin of Ghana

Aims: This research is aimed to determine the occurrence of female genital schistosomiasis (FGS), Candida albicans, Trichomonas vaginalis, Bacteria vaginosis and HIV concomitant infections among women of reproductive age in schistosomiasis endemic communities in the Volta Basin of Ghana.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Schistosomiasis endemic communities in the Volta Basin. July 2005 to June 2006.
Methodology: During the conduct of the study, 402 out of 420 women who volunteered to participate were screened for genital infections by collecting high vaginal swabs (HVS). These were analysed for T. vaginalis by wet mount, C. albicans by wet mount and culture and B. vaginosis by wet mount and Whiff test. HIV infection was diagnosed from venous blood using HIV1/2 immunochromatographic test. Also 395 of the women were screened for female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) using cervical biopsy which was analysed using the compressed biopsy technique.
Results: About one third, 24/402 (30. 9%) of women screened were positive for at least one of the genital infections assessed. C. albicans was the most frequently occurring infection, with a prevalence of 15. 6%. This was followed by B. vaginosis (13. 5%) and T. vaginalis (1. 5%). HIV prevalence rate found in this study was 7. 2% and FGS 10. 6%. Almost half (46.3%) of FGS positive women were diagnosed with at least one of the genital pathogens compared to 30% of the FGS negative women. Candida albicans infection was significantly associated with FGS (P=0. 005). As much as a third (31. 6%) of women with FGS were diagnosed with C. albicans infection.
Conclusion: This study revealed a positive association between FGS and C. albicans infection among study participants. The lack of association between FGS and HIV was not conclusive because of low sample size. Findings from this study provide baseline data for conducting further studies between FGS, C. albicans and HIV infection.