Background and Objectives: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have continued a significant public health problem, especially in areas with substandard infection prevention and control programs. It is known that STIs are largely associated with the increasing occurrence of cervical cancer. To date, little is known about the burden of STIs among cervical cancer suspected women in Ethiopia. This study was aimed to assess the seroprevalence of STIs and associated risk factor among cervical cancer suspected women with special emphasis on HIV, HBV, HCV, and Syphilis.

Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among cervical cancer suspected women at University of Gondar Hospital from February to April 2017. A pre-tested and structured questionnaire was used to collect data on patients’ characteristics (socio-demographic, clinical and environmental factors). A standard volume of blood sample was collected and tested for HIV using first response, uni-gold, and VIKIA. Besides, patients were also tested for HBV, HCV, and syphilis using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In all aspects, the standard operational procedure was strictly followed. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 software and presented using tables, and charts.  Statistical associations were measured using Chi-square test, bivariate and multivariable logistic regression. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results: A total of 403 cervical cancer suspected women with the mean age of 42.54 (SD+11. 24) years were enrolled in the study. The overall prevalence of STIs was 16.6% (67/403) and the prevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV, and syphilis was 36/403 (8.9 %), 10/403 (2.5 %), 4/403 (1 %) and 29/403 (7.2 %) respectively. History of multiple sexual partners (AOR=3.02, 95%CI 1.57-5.79, P=0.001), alcohol addiction (AOR=2.2, 95%CI 1.07-4.5, P=0.031), history of STI (AOR= 3.38; 95% CI: 1.76-6.47, P<0.001) and not use of condom (AOR= 4.99; 95% CI: 1.5-16.16, P= 0.007) were significantly associated with STIs.

Conclusion and recommendation: The prevalence of STIs was generally higher among cervical cancer suspected patients. Health education needed to be encouraged to promote awareness about the prevention of STIs.

Keywords: Sexually transmitted infections, cervical cancer, Northwest Ethiopia