Sexually-transmitted diseases in a group of immigrant women
Section: Originales
How to quote
Regata Cuesta C. Enfermedades de transmisión sexual en un colectivo de mujeres inmigrantes. Matronas hoy. 2020; 8(1):17-20.
Authors
Cristina Regata Cuesta
Position
Médico especialista en Microbiología y Parasitología Clínica Hospital Clínic I Provincial de Barcelona. Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria UdÇ Girona.
Abstract
Introduction: a study on a group of immigrant women for the early detection of sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs).
Objective: detection of STDs in a group of vulnerable patients, for early and specific diagnosis and treatment.
Methodology: a transversal and descriptive study about STDs in a group of immigrant women seen at Primary Care, with an intervention for early treatment and a reduction in chronification and infectivity.
Results and Conclusions: a higher prevalence of STDs in immigrant women: 68% vs. 48% in local women. A higher number of immigrant women with vaginosis and vaginal candidiasis, and a lower prevalence of the papilloma virus in cervical sample (HPV). There is twice the prevalence of recurrent UTIs in immigrant women, and a striking lack of prevalence of hepatitis or other virus associated with STDs.
The results of this study coincide with scientific literature, which describes the biologic risk in immigrant patients from endemic areas, where the prevalence of STDs is higher than in our setting. It is important to correlate these results with sociocultural problems, higher unemployment rates, lower health education, and the higher difficulty to access healthcare services for this group.
Therefore, it is important to implement programs for early detection and health education by Primary Care, and to ensure an easy access to treatment for patients, as well as to set up epidemiological measures for prevention.
Keywords:
sexually-transmitted diseases; immigrant women; biologic risk; health education
Versión en Español
Título:
Enfermedades de transmisión sexual en un colectivo de mujeres inmigrantes
Artículo completo no disponible en este idioma / Full article is not available in this language
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