Increased reproductive tract infections among secondary school girls during the COVID-19 pandemic: associations with pandemic-related stress, mental health, and domestic safety.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Kenya, like many countries, shuttered schools during COVID-19, with subsequent increases in poor mental health, sexual activity, and pregnancy.

Aim

We sought to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic may mediate the risk of reproductive tract infections.

Methods

We analyzed data from a cohort of 436 secondary schoolgirls in western Kenya. Baseline and 6-, 12-, and 18-month study visits occurred from April 2018 to December 2019 (pre-COVID-19), and 30-, 36-, and 48-month study visits occurred from September 2020 to July 2022 (COVID-19 period). Participants self-completed a survey for sociodemographics and sexual activity and provided self-collected vaginal swabs for bacterial vaginosis (BV) testing, with sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing at annual vi

SUBMITTER: Mehta SD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11264406 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature