2.2 DATA AND SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Local research trained staff interviewed recruited pregnant women using a standardized questionnaire to record demographic characteristics, obstetric factors, medication history or disease history. Specimens where collected from the lower vagina of pregnant women using sterilised disposable cotton swabs. Each swab was then immerged into 2–3 ml of the Brain Heart Infusion Broth (BHIB), placed into the specimen transportation flask and transported to the lab within 30 min.