Acceptability and feasibility of testing for sexually transmitted infections among pregnant women in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

Int J STD AIDS. 2021 Aug;32(9):816-820. doi: 10.1177/0956462421992263. Epub 2021 Feb 20.

Abstract

There are currently no reliable epidemiological data for estimating the burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Oman. STIs such as gonorrhoea and chlamydia are often asymptomatic and associated with sexual and reproductive morbidity. An exploratory study was conducted in an antenatal clinic in Muscat, Oman, to assess the acceptability and feasibility of testing for gonorrhoea and chlamydia. Two hundred and twenty-one women were recruited over 14 weeks between July and October 2020. There were three cases of chlamydia (3/221, 1.36%); no cases of gonorrhoea were identified. Acceptability and feasibility for testing in this cohort of pregnant women were good despite anticipated cultural sensitivities surrounding sexually transmitted infections.

Keywords: Gulf Cooperation Council; Middle East and North Africa; Oman; Sexually transmitted infections; chlamydia; pregnant women.

MeSH terms

  • Chlamydia Infections* / diagnosis
  • Chlamydia Infections* / epidemiology
  • Chlamydia trachomatis
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Gonorrhea* / diagnosis
  • Gonorrhea* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Oman / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnant Women
  • Prevalence
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases* / epidemiology