Comparing STI risk and sexual behaviour profiles of pregnant versus non-pregnant, HIV negative black South African women

Abstract

Background: In South Africa more HIV prevention efforts are focused on HIV positive and particularly pregnant women compared HIV negative and non pregnant woman. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to compare the STI prevalence and sexual behaviours between HIV negative black women who attend HIV VCT services during antenatal care and their non pregnant counterparts.

Methods: A total of 446 women (Mean age = 23.37; SD = 4.21) completed an interviewer administered questionnaire. The interview assessed sexual and condom use behaviours. Participants also provided self administered vaginal swabs for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoea (NG) and Trichomonas vaginalis (NG) tests.

Results: Compared to the non pregnant participants, the pregnant VCT attendees had a significantly lower average number of male partners in the past 6 months (AOR = 0.39; 95% CI: 0.17 to 0.89), had a lower rate of condom use (AOR = 0.32; 95% CI: 0.15 to 0.74), were significantly less likely to report a history of partner abuse (AOR = 0.38; 95% CI: 0.19 to 0.78) and to have asked their partner to use a condom (AOR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.29 to 0.95). They were more likely to test positive for at least 1 STI and to report a STI history, however these were not significant.

Conclusions: The data highlight the urgent need to further explore the differences in profile of determinant of STI risk black pregnant and non pregnant VCT attendees in order to develop focused HIV prevention interventions to meet their different needs.