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High‐risk sexual behaviours and genital infections during pregnancy
Author(s) -
Dwyer J. M.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
international nursing review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.84
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1466-7657
pISSN - 0020-8132
DOI - 10.1046/j.1466-7657.2001.00083.x
Subject(s) - pregnancy , medicine , sex organ , obstetrics , reproductive health , hygiene , epidemiology , sexually transmitted disease , gynecology , family medicine , environmental health , syphilis , population , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , genetics , pathology , biology
Abstract This article describes the sexual behaviours of some pregnant women that contribute to vaginal and cervical infections, and describes their lack of awareness about the dangers associated with sexually transmitted infections during pregnancy. It presents a subanalysis of data from a principal epidemiological study of the association between preterm delivery and genital hygiene habits and sexual behaviour during pregnancy. One‐hundred and nine postpartum women were questioned about high‐risk sexual behaviours during their pregnancies, their partner’s sexually transmitted disease status and their knowledge about the effect of sexually transmitted infections on their pregnancy. Global concerns about the prevalence, diagnosis and treatment of cervical and vaginal infection from sexually transmitted diseases are discussed. The dangers associated with high‐risk sexual behaviours during pregnancy, and recommendations for clinicians, are included.