Evaluating Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae screening
among asymptomatic pregnant women to prevent preterm birth and low birth
weight in Gaborone, Botswana: A non-randomized, cluster-controlled
trial.
Abstract
ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the impact of screening
and treating asymptomatic pregnant women for C. trachomatis and
N. gonorrhoeae infections on the frequency of preterm birth or
low birth weight infants in Botswana. Design Non-randomized,
cluster-controlled trial. Setting Four antenatal care clinics
in Gaborone, Botswana. Population Pregnant women aged ≥15
years, attending a first antenatal care visit, ≤27 weeks gestation, and
without urogenital symptoms were eligible. Methods Participants
in the intervention clinics received screening (GeneXpert®, Cepheid)
during pregnancy and at the post-natal visit. Participants in the
standard-of-care clinics received screening at the postnatal visit only.
We used multivariable logistic regression and post-estimation predictive
margins analysis. Post-hoc analysis was conducted among sub-samples
stratified by parity. Main outcome measures Preterm birth
(<37 weeks gestation) and low birth weight (<2500g).
Results After controlling for parity, hypertension, antenatal
care visits, and clinic site, the predicted prevalence of preterm or low
birth weight was lower in the intervention arm (11%) compared to the
standard-of-care (16%) (AOR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.28 to 1.24), but
confidence intervals were wide. In post-hoc analysis, the intervention
was more effective than the standard-of-care (AOR: 0.20; 95% CI:
0.07-0.64) among nulliparous participants. Conclusion A
C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae infection screening and
treatment intervention among asymptomatic pregnant women did not
significantly reduce preterm or low birth weight outcomes. Post hoc
analysis found the intervention reduced adverse outcomes among
nulliparous participants.