Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate/Emtricitabine Prophylaxis Has No Effect on Bone Mineral Density and Bone Mineral Content in African Breastfeeding Women Receiving Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV.

Background: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) when used as preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in pregnancy is considered safe overall however there is insufficient evidence of its effect on maternal bone. We compared bone mineral density (BMD) and content (BMC) at the lumbar spine (LS) and hip of African breastfeeding women exposed and not exposed to TDF-containing PrEP in a randomized control trial (RCT).

Methods: This is a secondary data analysis of an RCT where pregnant women were randomized to initiating PrEP in pregnancy or delayed initiation of PrEP until breastfeeding cessation.

Immunoexpression of placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble FMS-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) in the placental bed of preeclamptic women of African ancestry living with HIV infection.

Preeclampsia, a severe pregnancy complication linked to defective placentation, poses significant maternal risks and is characterized by dysregulated angiogenic factors, including placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1). Women with HIV/AIDS and receiving ART may face an increased susceptibility to preeclampsia development due to immunological and angiogenic imbalance. This study investigates the immunoexpression of these factors in the context of HIV-associated preeclampsia, utilizing morphometric image analysis.

Review of triage strategies for atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance among young women.

In the present study we reviewed the existing literature regarding management approaches for ASC-US and highlight their pros and cons. The ASC-US entity emerged from Bethesda classification 2001. We conducted this review using search words ASC-US triage, ASC-US management in young women, triage tests for ASC-US, and ASC-US outcome from the English literature.

Association of angiogenic factors (placental growth factor and soluble FMS-like tyrosine kinase-1) in preeclamptic women of African ancestry comorbid with HIV infection.

Background: Preeclampsia is a significant cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like South Africa.

Aim: The aim of our study was to investigate the association between placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble FMS-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) in South African preeclamptic women of African ancestry, comorbid with HIV infection.

Methods: The study population consisted of women attending a regional hospital in Durban, South Africa, stratified by pregnancy type (normotensive pregnant and preeclampsia) and HIV status.

Development of normal reference intervals for renal function in pregnancy: a secondary analysis of clinical trial data.

Background: Due to its potential nephrotoxicity, screening for pre-existing renal function disorders has become a routine clinical assessment for initiating Tenofovir diphosphate fumarate (TDF)-containing antiretroviral treatment (ART) or pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in pregnant and non-pregnant adults. We aimed to establish reference values for commonly used markers of renal function in healthy pregnant women of African origin.

Methods: Pregnant women ≥18 years, not living with HIV, and at 14-28 weeks gestation were enrolled in a PrEP clinical trial in Durban, South Africa between September 2017 and December 2019.

The WHO atlas for female-genital schistosomiasis: Co-design of a practicable diagnostic guide, digital support and training.

Up to 56 million young and adult women of African origin suffer from Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS). The transmission of schistosomiasis happens through contact with schistosomiasis infested fresh water in rivers and lakes. The transmission vector is the snail that releases immature worms capable of penetrating the human skin.

The Association Between Female Genital Schistosomiasis and Other Infections of the Lower Genital Tract in Adolescent Girls and Young Women: A Cross-Sectional Study in South Africa.

Objectives/purposes Of The Study: This study aimed to explore the relationship between female genital schistosomiasis (FGS), sexually transmitted infections, bacterial vaginosis, and yeast among young women living in Schistosoma haematobium-endemic areas.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study of young women, sexually active, aged 16 to 22 years in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, in 32 randomly selected rural schools in schistosomiasis-endemic areas, the authors performed gynecological and laboratory investigations, diagnosed FGS and other infections, and did face-to-face interviews.

Results: Female genital schistosomiasis was the second most prevalent current genital infection (23%), significantly more common in those who had urinary schistosomiasis (35%), compared with those without (19%, p < .

Pregnancy and neonatal safety outcomes of timing of initiation of daily oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention (CAP016): an open-label, randomised, non-inferiority trial.

Background: The safety of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in pregnant women not living with HIV is uncertain. We aimed to compare pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in women exposed and not exposed to PrEP during pregnancy.

Methods: In this single-site, open-label, randomised, non-inferiority trial in Durban, South Africa, we evaluated pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women aged 18 years or older, not living with HIV, and at 14-28 weeks' gestation at the time of enrolment.

BV associated bacteria specifically BVAB 1 and BVAB 3 as biomarkers for HPV risk and progression of cervical neoplasia.

Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is associated with high-risk HPV (hrHPV) genotypes. There is a proposed bidirectional relationship between hrHPV and vaginal microbial diversity. This study investigated the association between BV associated bacteria in women co-infected with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hrHPV.

Implementation research to accelerate scale-up of national screen and treat strategies towards the elimination of cervical cancer.

Background: Cervical cancer is a significant public health problem, with 570,000 new cases and 300,000 deaths of women per year globally, mostly in low- and middle-income countries. In 2018 the WHO Director General made a call to action for the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem.

Main Body: New thinking on programmatic approaches to introduce emerging technologies and screening and treatment interventions of cervical precancer at scale is needed to achieve elimination goals.

A systematic review of handheld tools in lieu of colposcopy for cervical neoplasia and female genital schistosomiasis.

Background: Visualization of the lesions in the lower genital tract is the mainstay for diagnosis of the four lesions found in female genital schistosomiasis (FGS), but colposcopes are generally not available in low-resource settings.

Objective: We sought to review handheld devices that could potentially be used for FGS diagnosis.

Search Strategy: We searched Medline and Embase 2015-2019 for handheld devices used in cervical cancer screening and FGS diagnosis.

Herpes simplex virus-2 infections in pregnant women from South Africa: Evaluation of the ImmunoFLOW rapid test.

The diagnostic performance of ImmunoFLOW, a rapid test for detecting herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) infections, was investigated in 248 antenatal women. Approximately one hundred and seventy-seven (71%) of the enrolled women were infected with HSV-2. Sero-positivity was associated with older age ([≥ 30 years] 104/177, 58%), having a secondary level of education but not tertiary level of education (125/177, 70.

Preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM) and pregnancy outcomes in association with HIV-1 infection in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Background: SubSaharan Africa has a disproportionate burden of HIV and preterm births (PTB). We hypothesized that PTB in HIV-1 infected women are more likely a result of prelabour rupture of membranes (PROM) and could lead to worse birth outcomes than HIV-uninfected women. We also hypothesized that PPROM increased the risk of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV-1.

Asymptomatic Bacterial Vaginosis in Pregnancy and Missed Opportunities for Treatment: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study.

Background: High rates of bacterial vaginosis (BV) have been described in nonpregnant South African women. Studies of BV in South African pregnant women are sparse. Diagnosis and prompt treatment of BV in pregnancy are expected to have a positive impact on pregnancy outcomes and HIV prevention.

Evaluating diagnostic indicators of urogenital Schistosoma haematobium infection in young women: A cross sectional study in rural South Africa.

Background: Urine microscopy is the standard diagnostic method for urogenital S. haematobium infection. However, this may lead to under-diagnosis of urogenital schistosomiasis, as the disease may present itself with genital symptoms in the absence of ova in the urine.

Prevalence, risk factors, and pregnancy outcomes of cervical cell abnormalities in the puerperium in a hyperendemic HIV setting.

Objective: To investigate the impact of cervical cell abnormalities detected in the puerperium in association with HIV-1 infection on pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: The present study was a secondary data analysis of pregnancy outcomes, Pap smear results, HIV results, and participant demography from a behavioral intervention randomized controlled trial of 1480 pregnant women aged 18 years or more conducted at a periurban primary health clinic in South Africa during 2008-2010. The Pap smear was performed 14 weeks after delivery.

Association of Urogenital Symptoms with History of Water Contact in Young Women in Areas Endemic for S. haematobium. A Cross-Sectional Study in Rural South Africa.

Female genital schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by . Infected females may suffer from symptoms mimicking sexually transmitted infections. We explored if self-reported history of unsafe water contact could be used as a simple predictor of genital schistosomiasis.

Cervical cytology as a diagnostic tool for female genital schistosomiasis: Correlation to cervical atypia and Schistosoma polymerase chain reaction.

Background: Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) is a tissue reaction to lodged ova of Schistosoma haematobium in the genital mucosa. Lesions can make the mucosa friable and prone to bleeding and discharge. Women with FGS may have an increased risk of HIV acquisition, and FGS may act as a cofactor in the development of cervical cancer.

Prevalence of repeat pregnancies and associated factors among teenagers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of repeat teenage pregnancy and the interval between first/most recent and repeat pregnancies, as well as to evaluate the sexual/reproductive health characteristics of teenagers with repeat pregnancies.

Methods: A prospective observational study was undertaken at a hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, between May and September 2013. Teenagers aged 13-19years who were pregnant, had recently delivered, or had terminated a pregnancy were enrolled.

Exploring disparities in prenatal care between refugees and local South African women.

Objective: To explore possible disparities in prenatal care between refugees and South African women attending public health facilities in an urban setting in South Africa.

Methods: A cross-sectional, mixed methods study was conducted at four public health clinics providing prenatal services in Durban between January 29, 2013, and June 15, 2013. Pretested client-satisfaction questionnaires were administered to 200 women attending immunization services at the clinics whose infants were aged 6 months or younger.

High prevalence and incidence of asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections during pregnancy and postdelivery in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.

Background: We report the prevalence and incidence of 3 treatable sexually transmitted pathogens (Neiserria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Trichomonas vaginalis) in women who were HIV infected or at high risk for HIV infection, in pregnancy and postpartum, respectively.

Method: Vulvovaginal specimens collected at the first antenatal visit and again at 14 weeks postpartum were tested for N. gonorrhoeae, C.

The burden of antenatal heart disease in South Africa: a systematic review.

Background: Maternal mortality in South Africa is rising, and heart conditions currently account for 41 per cent of indirect causes of deaths. Little is known about the burden of heart disease in pregnant South Africans.

Methods: We systematically reviewed the contemporary epidemiology and peripartum outcomes of heart disease in South African women attending antenatal care.