PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CARE IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS, CENTRAL ZONE OFTIGRAY, ETHIOPIA, 2024/25

Abstract

Background – Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during pregnancy are a significant public health concern, leading to severe maternal and neonatal complications such as preterm labor, stillbirth, low birth weight, and congenital infections. In developing countries, including post-conflict settings like Tigray, the burden of STIs is often heightened due to weakened health services, increased sexual violence, and limited access to affordable and reliable diagnostic tools. These challenges hinder timely diagnosis and treatment, exacerbating adverse pregnancy outcomes. Objective - To assess the prevalence and associated factors of sexually transmitted infections among pregnant women attending antenatal care in public hospitals located in the Central Zone of Tigray, Ethiopia, 2024/25. Method: - A facility based cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted among 312 pregnant women receiving antenatal care at selected public hospitals in the Central Zone of Tigray, A 1.5 design effect was applied to account for potential errors from the two stage sampling technique. Data were collected from November 15 to December 15, 2024, using pretested, structured face-to-face interviews. Data analysis was entered in to Epi Info version 7.2.2.2 and analyzed with SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics summarized key variables, while bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to calculate crude and adjusted odds ratios. Statistical significance was set at a 95% confidence interval with a p-value less than 0.05. Result: The Prevalence of STI and associated Syndromes were 21.8%, 95% CI: 16.9-26.6). Out of the 312 respondents; Sixty eight of them reported were they have at least one of the syndromes. Age AOR = 6.341, 95% CI:(2.439-16.488), History of Abortion AOR= 5.3%, 95%CI: (1.73-16.19), Having multiple sexual partners (AOR=4.6%, 95 % CI: 1.45 - 14.73), History of STI AOR 6.9%, 95% CI: (2.79 - 17.14), and drinking of alcohol AOR 4.1% 95% CI; 1.66-10.12); have a strong association to be diagnosed with STI syndromes. However, being married found to be a protective factor from contracting of STI than unmarried women. Conclusion; in this Study, STI found to be a major health problem among pregnant women since found one in five. Therefore, pregnant women with the determined factors have to receive an attention to halt the potential problem. Hence, raising community awareness through mass media and provision of STI preventive materials is crucial to mitigate the possible adverse pregnancy outcomes.