Microbicides development program, Tanzania-baseline characteristics of an occupational cohort and reattendance at 3 months.
OBJECTIVE
To determine baseline characteristics of an occupational cohort of women in Mwanza City, Tanzania, and factors associated with reattendance at 3 months, in preparation for a microbicide trial.


METHODS
One thousand five hundred seventy-three women aged 16-54 years working in food outlets and recreational facilities were enrolled, interviewed, and examined at community-based reproductive health clinics, provided specimens for HIV/STI and pregnancy testing, and attended 3 monthly clinical follow-up.


RESULTS
Baseline prevalence of HIV was 25.5%; pregnancy 9.7%; herpes simplex virus type-2 74.6%; active syphilis 10.2%, bacterial vaginosis 52.6%; gonorrhea 5.5%; chlamydia 5.9%; and trichomoniasis 12.3%. Reattendance at 3 months was 74.1% and was higher in older women, less mobile women, and in those who received an HIV-negative result at enrollment.


CONCLUSIONS
Baseline characteristics of this occupational group suggest their suitability for microbicide trials. A screening round, locally appropriate informed consent procedures, and effective community tracing may help reduce losses to follow-up in such settings.
Vallely
Andrew
A
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel St., London, United Kingdom. andrew.vallely@lshtm.ac.uk
Kasindi
Stella
S
Hambleton
Ian R
IR
Knight
Louise
L
Chirwa
Tobias
T
Balira
Rebecca
R
Changalucha
John
J
Watson-Jones
Deborah
D
Everett
Dean
D
Gavyole
Awene
A
Moyes
Jocelyn
J
Pujades-Rodríguez
Mar
M
Ross
David A
DA
Hayes
Richard J
RJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D019649:Food Industry; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015995:Prevalence; D016730:Program Development; D011998:Recreation; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents