HIV seroprevalence and its associations with the other reproductive tract infections in asymptomatic women in Harare, Zimbabwe

Int J STD AIDS. 2001 Aug;12(8):524-31. doi: 10.1258/0956462011923624.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Comorbidity
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • HIV Seroprevalence*
  • Humans
  • Mass Screening
  • Middle Aged
  • Population Surveillance
  • Primary Prevention
  • Risk Factors
  • Sexual Partners
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / complications*
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / prevention & control
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Urban Health / statistics & numerical data*
  • Women's Health*
  • Zimbabwe / epidemiology