title: HIV seroprevalence and its associations with the other reproductive tract infections in asymptomatic women in Harare, Zimbabwe.
abstract: The objective was to determine the magnitude of HIV as well as the associations between HIV seropositivity with reproductive tract infections (RTIs) among healthy women in Harare, Zimbabwe. In a cross-sectional study, 393 informed consenting women aged 15--49 years, attending 2 primary healthcare clinics, were interviewed and screened for HIV and RTIs. HIV seroprevalence was 29.3%. Seropositivity was significantly associated with bacterial vaginosis, syphilis, gonorrhoea and/or Chlamydia trachomatis infection, warts and genital ulcers. Risk factors for HIV were absence of lactobacilli in vaginal fluid, vaginal pH >4.5, age >20 years, being unmarried, having had more than one lifetime sexual partner, having used a condom at least once in their lifetime, having experienced an infant mortality, and a partner who was non-monogamous or a frequent traveller. In view of the very high seroprevalence and concomitant RTIs in this population, we recommend promotion of women-controlled prevention methods along with proactive detection and treatment of RTIs.
authors.affiliation: Institute of General Practice and Community Medicine, Department of International Health, University of Oslo, Postboks 1130, Blindern 0317, Oslo, Norway. elizabethmbizvo@hotmail.com
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Mbizvo
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Msuya
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stray-Pedersen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sundby
authors.forename: M Z
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Chirenje
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hussain
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011322:Primary Prevention; D012307:Risk Factors; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016387:Women's Health; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology