Reproductive health and STDs among clients of a women's health mobile clinic in rural Bali, Indonesia.

Recent studies in Indonesia have reported significant levels of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in low-risk urban groups. To gather data on rural women a prevalence study was undertaken in Bali utilizing a womens health mobile clinic. Rural (n = 312) women were tested for vaginal reproductive tract infections (RTIs) by on-site wet mount for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis by unamplified DNA (Gen-Probe) test and for syphilis by rapid plasma reagin (RPR). Results were: candidiasis 5.8%; bacterial vaginosis (BV) 37.2%; trichomoniasis 15.1%; gonorrhea 0.7%; chlamydial infection 5.6%; syphilis 0%. Overall 55.1% had at least 1 RTI and 19.2% had at least 1 STD. Reported non-monogamy pain with urination and genital lesions observed cervical friability and cervical motion tenderness were associated with cervical STD infection (P < 0.05). [The authors] conclude that there is a need for improved services for STD prevention and RTI/STD management in rural Bali and for condom promotion. (authors)