Determinants of the Occurrence of Self-Reported Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIS) among Adolescent Girls in the City of Goma: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study from January to April 2025

Introduction: The aim of this study was to identify the determinants of the occurrence of self-reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among adolescent girls in the city of Goma. Methodology: This is an analytical cross-sectional study covering the period from January 5, 2024 to April 5, 2025, i.e., 1 year and 3 months in the city of Goma. During this same period, we took the opportunity to determine the prevalence of STIs in the city of Goma. Of the 388 adolescent girls surveyed in the city of Goma, the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections was 48.97%, or 190 cases out of 388 adolescent girls in the city of Goma over the past 12 months. Adolescent girls who participated in the study were randomly selected at several stages in the health zones (HZ) of Goma and Karisimbi. The sample was distributed？proportionally to the populations of these two health zones. Thus, five neighborhoods were randomly selected in the Karisimbi HZ based on the list of neighborhoods in this health zone. Households and respondents were selected in the same way as those in the Karisimbi HZ. Using this procedure, 137 adolescent girls were selected in the Karisimbi HZ and 76 in the Goma HZ. A structured and pre-tested questionnaire, deployed on Kobocollect, was administered face to face to the adolescent girls. The data were analyzed with Epi info 7.2. Results: The determinants of STIs were the age of adolescent girls from 16 to 19 years (OR: 0.08; 95% CI: 0.03 - 0.2; p = 0.000), never having used a condom during sexual intercourse (OR: 113.1; 95% CI: 40.09 - 319.4; p = 0.000), not living with biological parents (OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.18 - 2.87; p = 0.006). Conclusion: The prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among adolescent girls in the city of Goma is high. The majority were sexually active and had only one sexual partner. The age at first sexual intercourse ranged from 15 to 17 years. A romantic relationship was the main reason for the first sexual intercourse. In addition, abnormal vaginal discharge was the most commonly reported syndromic type of STI among respondents. Age was identified as a risk factor for contracting STIs, while having previously used condoms during sexual intercourse protected against STIs. Raising awareness among adolescent girls about STIs will reduce the risk of contracting them and improve their sexual health.？