PREVALENCE OF NEISSERIA GONORRHOEAE AND MYCOPLASMA GENITALIUM IN BULGARIAN POPULATION FROM SOFIA MUNICIPALITY OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE, 2018-2019

Abstract

Background: N. gonorrhoeae and M. genitalium infections remain public health concern due to emerging antimicrobial resistance which compromise effective treatment and infection prevention and control. Objective: To estimate the prevalence for N. gonorrhoeae and M. genitalium infections and identify demographic and sexual behavioral risk factors in Bulgarian population of reproductive age from Sofia municipality. Material and methods: Participants were sexually active 443 men and 198 women aged 18-49 years. They answered questionnaires on sexual behavior and provided samples for N. gonorrhoeae and M. genitalium testing. Results: The prevalence of N. gonorrhoeae infection was 3.28% (21/641) and with M. genitalium infection it was 2.49% (16/641). For both infections the presence of urogenital symptoms was associated with greater risk of being infected. Among gonococcal infections an increased number of lifetime partners and partners during the last 6 months, previously diagnosed STIs and use of contraception other than condoms were associated risk factors. Conclusions: The prevalence of N. gonorrhoeae and M. genitalium infections in Bulgarian population of reproductive age from Sofia municipality was relatively low but due to significant disease burden data on prevalence and identified risk factors should help the development of future control strategies.