ArticleBMC women's health2025
Determinants of urogenital tract infection symptoms among adolescent girls and young women in secondary schools and universities in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo: a cross-sectional study.
Article in BMC women's health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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Abstract
backgroundGlobally, 40% of adolescent girls and young women suffer from urogenital tract infections (UGTIs) that affect their quality of life (QOL). Despite their significant health burdens, these conditions remain underreported and understudied, particularly in Low and Middle-income Countries (LMICs)This study aimed to examine the determinants of urogenital infection-related symptoms in adolescent girls and young adult women students.
methodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescent girls and young women in ten secondary and university institutions from December 2022 to April 2023 in Bukavu, Eastern DRC. Using purposive sampling, 1,500 questionnaires were distributed with 1,048 completed responses from 1,200 returns. The variables included age, education level, origin, knowledge of infections, hygiene behaviors (self-medication, contraception, water intake, and sanitation), and urogenital infection symptoms. A logistic regression model was used to examine predictors of urogenital infections using Stata SE14.0.
resultsA total of 1048 adolescent girls and young women, aged between 12 and 30 years with a mean age of 20 years, were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of related urogenital infection symptoms was 12% among school-going adolescent girls and young women in secondary schools and universities in Bukavu town, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Several factors were significantly associated, notably information about UGTIs and their symptoms (AOR: 4.52; 95% CI: 2.45-8.22; p < 0.001). The use of rain, ground, river or lake water while bathing increased the risk of UGTI symptoms (AOR: 4.08; 95% CI: 2.10-7.95; p < 0.001). Adding disinfectants to water reduced this risk but did not cancel it (AOR: 1.37; 95% CI: 1.10-2.05, p = 0.034). Communal bathing vessels (AOR: 1.85; 95% CI: 1.17-2.94, p = 0.008), the habit of wearing clothing that permanently tightens the perineum(AOR: 2.12; 95% CI: 1.14-3.90, p = 0.016), and antibiotic self-medication (AOR: 2.03; 95% CI: 1.36-3.02, p < 0.001) were associated with UGTI symptoms.
conclusionUrogenital tract infections (UGTIs) are common among adolescent girls and young women in educational settings in Bukavu, DRC. Symptoms were determined by a lack of information on UGTIs, women's hygiene practices, self-medication, and lifestyle habits. Comprehensive health education overhaul is needed to effectively address public health concerns.
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