Spectrum of urogenital infections detected through pre-employment medical examination

Abstract

The pre-employment medical examination aims to assess the health status of the worker prior to employment, as well as to diagnose occupational diseases that have occurred during previous employment in economic units. This examination also includes screening for a range of communicable diseases, including those with sexual transmission. Aim: to examine the capacity to detect asymptomatic forms of major sexually transmitted infections in apparently healthy individuals during a medical examination. Material and methods The study was conducted on 2125 individuals aged 18-30 years who underwent a pre-employment medical examination in the Anenii Noi district between 2019 and 2023. Investigation methods included clinical inspection and paraclinical examination for a series of urogenital infections. It is noteworthy that the respective medical examination did not include testing for Chlamydia trachomatis. Results Urogenital pathology was detected in 1363 (64.1%) of the examined individuals. The spectrum of these pathologies was as follows: syphilis - in 26 (1.2%) cases; gonococcal infection - 11 (0.5%); urogenital candidiasis - 271 (12.8%); urogenital trichomoniasis (infection with Trichomonas vaginalis) - 117 (5.5%); bacterial vaginosis (infection with Gardnerella vaginalis) - 228 (10.7%); non-gonococcal/non-chlamydial bacterial infections (urethritis/vulvovaginitis) - in 710 (33.4%) cases. Discussion These data reflect the spread of urogenital infections in the young, working-age group of the general population. The concerning proportion of 64% reveals a high level of impact on the general population of that age group, which can jeopardize both reproductive capacity and sexual health. The pathological spectrum is dominated by non-gonococcal bacterial infections, followed by urogenital candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis. Additionally, population screening within this medical examination is limited by the absence of testing for Chlamydia trachomatis. Conclusion The ability to detect asymptomatic forms of major sexually transmitted infections in apparently healthy individuals, such as syphilis and gonorrhea, makes this medical examination useful.