Vaginal herb use andChlamydia trachomatisinfection: cross-sectional study among women of various ethnic groups in Suriname

Abstract

ObjectiveVaginal steam baths with herb leaves (herb use) is practised by some Surinamese women. We assessed herb use among women from the five most prevalent ethnic groups, and if herb use is associated withChlamydia trachomatisinfection.SettingParticipants were recruited at a sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic and a family planning clinic (FP) in Paramaribo, Suriname.Participants1040 women were included subsequently, comprising the following ethnic groups: Creole (26.7%), Hindustani (24.6%), Javanese (15.7%), Maroon (13.3%) and mixed descent (19.7%).MethodsNurses collected a questionnaire and vaginal swabs for nucleic acid amplificationC. trachomatistesting.Primary outcomesDeterminants of vaginal herb use andC. trachomatisinfection via univariable and multivariable logistic regression.ResultsHerb use was most common among Maroon (68.8%) and Creole women (25.2%). In multivariable analysis including only Maroon and Creole women, determinants significantly associated with vaginal herb use were (OR; 95% CI): Maroon ethnic descent (5.33; 3.26 to 8.71 vs Creole), recruitment at the STI clinic (2.04; 1.24 to 3.36 vs FP), lower education levels (3.80; 1.68 to 8.57 lower vs higher, and 2.02; 0.90 to 4.51 middle vs higher). Lower age and recruitment at the STI clinic were associated withC. trachomatisinfection, but not vaginal herb use.ConclusionIn Suriname, vaginal herb use is common among Maroon and Creole women. Education, ethnic group and recruitment site were determinants for herb use. Vaginal herb use was not a determinant ofC. trachomatisinfection. Future research should focus on the effect of herb use on the vaginal microbiome and mucosal barrier.