Publications

Sexually transmitted diseases are a significant public health concern in Uganda, particularly among women ofreproductive age. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with STDs among womenof reproductive age at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda. A cross-sectional study was conductedamong 302 women of reproductive age attending the hospital’s outpatient department between August 2023 andNovember 2023. Data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Descriptive and logisticregression analyses were conducted to determine the prevalence and factors associated with STDs. Theprevalence of STDs among women of reproductive age attending Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital wasfound to be 27.2%. Factors significantly associated with STDs included being residence outside the city (adjustedodds ratio [aOR] 2.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21-4.38), age group 20-29 (aOR 2.42, 95% CI 1.05-5.57),having more than 3 sexual partners (aOR 2.13, 95% CI 1.19-3.80) and not using a condom during sexualintercourse (aOR 0.55, 95% CI 0.31-0.98). Additionally, women who reported an increased frequency of sexualactivity were more likely to have current STDs (aOR 1.88, 95% CI 1.10-3.21). The prevalence of STDs amongwomen of reproductive age at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital was high, and several factors wereidentified as significant predictors of STDs. These findings highlight the need for targeted STD prevention andcontrol interventions, including increased STD screening, counselling on condom use, and promoting safesexual practices among women of reproductive age in the region.Keyword: STDs, Productive age, Women, Condom, Sexual activities, Sexual partners.