Sexually transmitted infections among migrant people and wives of migrants in far western Nepal

Background: More than 340 million cases of curable sexually transmitted infections were estimated to have occurred worldwide in 1995. Previous studies have shown that the presence of other concomitant sexually transmitted infections increases the likelihood of HIV transmission. Migrant people are high risk group in acquiring HIV and other STIs. Nepal is facing rapid increase in prevalence of HIV and STIs among high-risk groups such as sex workers, injection drug users and migrant workers. Western part of Nepal faces the same threat. Objective: The aim of our study was to estimate the prevalence of STIs, and assess knowledge and risk behaviours related to STIs among migrants and their wives in Far Western Nepal. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out in migrant workers, their wives and other women with STD syndromes in the year 2009 at Department of Microbiology, Siddhanath Science Campus, Mahendranagar, Kanchanpur. A total of 208 participants were recruited as they attended voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) centres at Kanchanpur. A structured questionnaire addressing demographic information, sexual life history, sexual contacts, and knowledge and practices related to HIV/STI transmission and prevention was filled up by face-to-face interview. Biological samples were obtained from all participants and tested for STIS, Treponema pallidum, Neisseria gonorrhoeae , and Trichomonas vaginalis , Candida albicans and bacterial vagionosis. Pearson’s chi-square analysis was performed to test associations between potential risk factors and specified diagnosed infections. Results: A total of 208 participants were examined and 24.5% were positive for different causative agents of STIs. The prevalence of T. pallidum was 2%, N. gonorrhoeae 0%, T. vaginalis 10%, Candida albicans 23% and Bacterial vaginosis 14%. The highest prevalence of STIs was found in age group 30-49 years. The prevalence of STIs was higher in males than in females. Eighty percent patients knew that STIs could be transmitted through sexual contact. Fifty three percent of the participants reported that they “always use condom”. Twenty one percent participants had sexual relationship with prostitutes. Most of participants (64%) had only one sexual partner. Twenty four percent had two to four sexual partners and 12% had more than four sexual partners. Conclusion: The result shows that migrant people are at high risk of infection. The prevalence of curable STIs is alarmingly high and emphasizes the urgent need for interventions aimed at combating the spread of