HIV seroprevalence and its associations with the other reproductive tract infections in asymptomatic women in Harare, Zimbabwe.
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.
Mbizvo
E M
EM
Institute of General Practice and Community Medicine, Department of International Health, University of Oslo, Postboks 1130, Blindern 0317, Oslo, Norway. elizabethmbizvo@hotmail.com
Msuya
S E
SE
Stray-Pedersen
B
B
Sundby
J
J
Chirenje
M Z
MZ
Hussain
A
A
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