{
  "abstract": "Objectives Mycoplasma genitalium, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Trichomonas vaginalis are sexually transmitted pathogens that are highly prevalent in developing countries and are strongly associated with pregnancy complications. In Chad, screening for these sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in pregnant women is based solely on patient-reported symptoms, even though these infections are frequently asymptomatic. This study aims to determine the prevalence of M. genitalium, C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae and T. vaginalis infections, as well as their associated risk factors.Methods In this cross-sectional study, we recruited pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at seven hospitals in N’Djamena. Endocervical swabs were collected, and DNA was extracted. Infections were diagnosed using PCR. Risk factors were identified using a structured questionnaire, and associations were assessed using logistic regression.Results A total of 525 pregnant women were enrolled, of whom 78.5% resided in urban areas, with a mean age of 25.16±5.54 years. Overall, 23.99% of the study population were diagnosed with at least one STI. The individual prevalence of M. genitalium, N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis and T. vaginalis infections was 13.33%, 5.14%, 0.95% and 4.57%, respectively. Coinfections were low, with M. genitalium-T. vaginalis at 0.95%, M. genitalium-N. gonorrhoeae at 0.38% and other combinations at 0.19% each. Women residing in rural areas had nearly two times the odds of M. genitalium infection compared with urban residents (OR=1.98), indicating a higher risk. Age<25 years (OR=1.76), employment outside the home (OR=1.70), lack of STI awareness (OR=6.74) and no prior history of M. genitalium infection (OR=1.71) were also associated with significantly increased risk.Conclusions This study demonstrates a high prevalence of STIs among pregnant women in Chad, underscoring the need for systematic screening rather than solely relying on syndromic management.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Biochemistry, University of Dschang, Dschang, Province de l’Ouest, Cameroon",
        "Laboratoire de Biosûreté et des Épidémies, N’Djamena, Province of N’Djamena, Chad"
      ],
      "name": "Mahamat Mustapha Anouar"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Biochemistry, University of Dschang, Dschang, Province de l’Ouest, Cameroon"
      ],
      "name": "Boris Emmanuel Djoumsie Gomseu"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Medical Microbiology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India"
      ],
      "name": "Nandita Sharma"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Medical Microbiology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India"
      ],
      "name": "Sana Afreen"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Medical Microbiology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India"
      ],
      "name": "Tenzin Tsephel"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of N’Djamena, N’Djamena, N’Djamena, Chad"
      ],
      "name": "Djamal Hachim"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of N’Djamena, N’Djamena, N’Djamena, Chad"
      ],
      "name": "Ngam Daita"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of N’Djamena, N’Djamena, N’Djamena, Chad"
      ],
      "name": "Annour Bechir Ahmat"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of N’Djamena, N’Djamena, N’Djamena, Chad"
      ],
      "name": "Mahamat Mouctar Abdelkerim"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of N’Djamena, N’Djamena, N’Djamena, Chad"
      ],
      "name": "Aboubakar Hassan Adam"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of N’Djamena, N’Djamena, N’Djamena, Chad"
      ],
      "name": "Adam Mahamat Dahabaye"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of N’Djamena, N’Djamena, N’Djamena, Chad"
      ],
      "name": "Chatté Adawaye"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of N’Djamena, N’Djamena, N’Djamena, Chad"
      ],
      "name": "Foumsou Lhagadang"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Biochemistry, University of Dschang, Dschang, Province de l’Ouest, Cameroon"
      ],
      "name": "Jules-Roger Kuiate"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Medical Microbiology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India"
      ],
      "name": "Sunil Sethi"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Prevalence and risk factors of Mycoplasma genitalium, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Trichomonas vaginalis infections in pregnant women in seven hospitals in N’Djamena, Chad: a cross-sectional study",
  "uid": "4370e119-6b22-5235-b987-6f4d15dc39bd"
}