Trichomoniasis in men and HIV infection: data from 2 outpatient clinics at Lilongwe Central Hospital, Malawi.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about the epidemiologic profile of trichomoniasis in men and its relationship to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Among men presenting for care for symptomatic sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Malawi, trichomoniasis is not considered for first-line treatment.


METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1187 men attending either a dermatology or STI outpatient clinic in the capital of Malawi. Men were interviewed, and the etiologies of the STIs were determined.


RESULTS
At the STI clinic (n = 756 men), we identified 150 men (20%) with Trichomonas vaginalis infection, 358 men (47%) with HIV infection, and 335 men (44%) with Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection. At the dermatology clinic (n = 431 men), we identified 54 (13%), 118 (27%), and 2 (0.5%) men, respectively. At both clinics, a lower education level and reporting never having used a condom were predictive of T. vaginalis infection. Only at the dermatology clinic was older age associated with infection, and only at the STI clinic were marital, genital ulcer disease, and HIV-infection status associated with T. vaginalis infection. At the STI clinic, urethral symptoms attributable to trichomoniasis were more severe among HIV-positive men than among HIV-negative men.


CONCLUSIONS
Given its high prevalence and the increased risk for HIV transmission, T. vaginalis infection should be reconsidered for inclusion in the Malawi STI-treatment regimen for men.
Price
Matthew A
MA
School of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7030, USA. mscohen@med.unc.edu.
Miller
William C
WC
Kaydos-Daniels
S Cornelia
SC
Hoffman
Irving F
IF
Chilongozi
David
D
Martinson
Francis E
FE
Namakhwa
David
D
Malanda
Jimmy
J
Cohen
Myron
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D015897:Comorbidity; D017280:Condoms; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006678:HIV; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006782:Hospitals, Special; D006801:Humans; D008295:Malawi / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D052801:Male Urogenital Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014245:Trichomonas Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis; D014505:Urban Population