BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In Zimbabwe, sexually transmitted diseases are highly prevalent and represent a significant amount of the workload for physicians. GOAL OF THIS STUDY: To estimate the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases and human immunodeficiency virus as well as symptoms related to sexually transmitted diseases. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study of 500 volunteers (285 women and 215 men) attending an sexually transmitted disease clinic in the Murewa District, 100 km northeast of the capital, Harare. Information on background characteristics and symptoms were obtained with a standardized questionnaire, and samples were collected and immediately transported to the laboratory for examination. RESULTS: The majority of the patients were 20-29 years old. Half of the men and 12% of the women had never been married, and 7.9% of the men and 12% of the women were divorced. Genital ulcers and dysuria were the most prevalent symptoms in men (64% and 62%, respectively). In women, the most prevalent symptoms were lower vaginal discharge and lower abdominal pain (91% and 79%, respectively). Almost 50% of the men and women were positive for human immunodeficiency virus-1 antibodies. The prevalence of Treponema pallidum and Neisseria gonorrhoeae was 15% and 18%, respectively, in men and 19% and 10%, respectively, in women. Chlamydia trachomatis showed the lowest prevalence (8%) in both sexes. No relationship was found between human immunodeficiency virus and other sexually transmitted diseases. CONCLUSION: Women who enter a sexually transmitted disease clinic with vaginal discharge or lower abdominal pain should be tested for several sexually transmitted diseases and human immunodeficiency virus. Men with dysuria or urethral discharge who enter such clinics should at least be tested for Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In Zimbabwe, sexually transmitted diseases are highly prevalent and represent a significant amount of the workload for physicians. GOAL OF THIS STUDY: To estimate the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases and human immunodeficiency virus as well as symptoms related to sexually transmitted diseases. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study of 500 volunteers (285 women and 215 men) attending an sexually transmitted disease clinic in the Murewa District, 100 km northeast of the capital, Harare. Information on background characteristics and symptoms were obtained with a standardized questionnaire, and samples were collected and immediately transported to the laboratory for examination. RESULTS: The majority of the patients were 20-29 years old. Half of the men and 12% of the women had never been married, and 7.9% of the men and 12% of the women were divorced. Genital ulcers and dysuria were the most prevalent symptoms in men (64% and 62%, respectively). In women, the most prevalent symptoms were lower vaginal discharge and lower abdominal pain (91% and 79%, respectively). Almost 50% of the men and women were positive for human immunodeficiency virus-1 antibodies. The prevalence of Treponema pallidum and Neisseria gonorrhoeae was 15% and 18%, respectively, in men and 19% and 10%, respectively, in women. Chlamydia trachomatis showed the lowest prevalence (8%) in both sexes. No relationship was found between human immunodeficiency virus and other sexually transmitted diseases. CONCLUSION:Women who enter a sexually transmitted disease clinic with vaginal discharge or lower abdominal pain should be tested for several sexually transmitted diseases and human immunodeficiency virus. Men with dysuria or urethral discharge who enter such clinics should at least be tested for Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
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Keywords:
Africa; Africa South Of The Sahara; Biology; Clinical Research; Cross Sectional Analysis; Developing Countries; Diseases; Eastern Africa; English Speaking Africa; Examinations And Diagnoses; Hiv Infections; Infections; Laboratory Examinations And Diagnoses; Laboratory Procedures; Measurement; Prevalence; Reproductive Tract Infections; Risk Factors; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Signs And Symptoms; Viral Diseases; Zimbabwe