Prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhea by age group and sex among OPD patients at Arua Regional Referral Hospital aged 18-65 years. A cross-sectional study.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/pg48nx57Keywords:
Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Gonorrhea, Prevalence, Sexually transmitted infections, OutpatientsAbstract
Background:
The study aimed to determine the prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhea by age group and sex among OPD patients at Arua Regional Referral Hospital aged 18-65 years.
Methodology:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 72 consenting OPD patients aged 18–65 years with symptoms suggestive of gonorrhea at Arua Regional Referral Hospital. Participants were purposively sampled. Data on demographic characteristics and predisposing factors were collected using English/Lugbara questionnaires. Urethral swabs from males and endocervical swabs from females were collected and examined using laboratory procedures, including microscopy and culture. Data were analyzed using SPSS and presented in tables, graphs, and charts. Ethical approval, informed consent, privacy, confidentiality, and quality-control procedures were maintained throughout the study.
Results:
Among 72 OPD patients examined, males constituted 55.6% (n=40) and females 44.4% (n=32). Regarding employment status, 44.44% (n=32) were self-employed, 30.56% (n=22) formally employed, and 25.0% (n=18) unemployed. Laboratory examination identified 17 positive cases, giving an overall gonorrhea prevalence of 23.6% (17/72), while 76.4% (n=55) tested negative. The highest age-specific prevalence occurred among participants aged 18-25 years at 31.6% (6/19), followed by those aged 26–35 years at 26.1% (6/23). Prevalence was 18.8% (3/16) among those aged 36-45 years, 11.1% (1/9) among 46-55 years, and 20.0% (1/5) among 56-65 years. Males had a higher prevalence than females, at 25.0% (10/40) and 21.9% (7/32), respectively.
Conclusion:
Gonorrhea prevalence among OPD patients at Arua Regional Referral Hospital is high, indicating a significant public health concern.
Recommendation:
The Ministry of Health should strengthen STI prevention programs targeting age groups with higher prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection.
References
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