The Prevalence of Gonococcal Infection in Non Pregnant Women

Abstract

Background: There is little information about the prevalence and risk factors for Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Iran. The pur¬pose of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of gonococcal infection in women in Babol, North of Iran. Methods: Five hundred- fifty married women, who were younger than 45 years, were assessed of aspects of hidden and obvi¬ous gonococcal infection. A sample of endocervix was obtained for gram stain and culture for gonorrhoeae in chocolate agar medium. Socio-demographic, behavioral and clinical variables also were recorded. Results: The mean age of these women was 32.3± 6.6 yr old (range 17 to 45 yr). The prevalence of N. gonorrhoeae (NG), Chlamy¬dia trachomatis, and Trichomonas vaginalis was 0.2%, 11.6%, and 4%, respectively. The case of NG was asympto¬matic and did not have any risk factors for this infection. Conclusion: The results of this study show that the prevalence of this infection in this region is relatively low.