High-risk sexual behaviour in men attending a sexually transmitted infection clinic in Durban, South Africa

OBJECTIVES

A study of men with genital ulcer disease (GUD) in Durban, South Africa, at the start of the local HIV epidemic in 1988/1989 found that 36% of men with GUD continued with sexual intercourse despite symptoms. The aim of this study was to determine whether this high-risk behaviour was still prevalent and to enquire about similar risk behaviours with other sexually transmitted infection (STI)-related problems.

METHODS

650 Men attending the main Durban STI clinic with a new complaint were enrolled. A standard questionnaire was administered. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were performed to diagnose genital herpes from ulcer specimens and gonorrhoea and chlamydia from those with urethral discharge and/or dysuria. Serology tests were performed for HIV, herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and syphilis.

RESULTS

Sex since the start of symptoms was reported by between 33.3% and 43.9% of men with GUD, herpetic ulcers, gonorrhoea and/or chlamydia or dysuria. The incidence of condom use was very low in all groups having sex despite symptoms. In 87 men with genital ulcers confirmed positive for genital herpes by PCR testing, 30 (34.4%) had had sex since the start of symptoms, 28 (93.3%) of whom had had unprotected sex.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a high level of risk behaviour in this group of men in whom genital herpes is the most common cause of GUD. This risky sexual behaviour could reflect disinhibition, possibly because so many have already been infected with HSV-2, lack of education or other unknown factors. Syndromic STI management should be strengthened with intensive health education to promote community awareness of both genital ulceration and genital herpes and their role in facilitating HIV transmission. The low level of condom use indicates that condom promotion programmes still have much to achieve.

Lack of effectiveness of syndromic management in targeting vaginal infections in pregnancy in Entebbe, Uganda

OBJECTIVES

To measure the prevalence of reproductive tract infections (RTIs) during pregnancy in Entebbe, Uganda, and to evaluate the current syndromic diagnosis and management approach in effectively targeting infections, such as bacterial vaginosis (BV) and trichomoniasis, that are associated with low birth weight and prematurity among newborns.

METHODS

We enrolled 250 antenatal clinic attenders. Vaginal swabs and diagnostic tests were performed for BV, Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), candida, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis and for HIV-1 and active (TPHA+/RPR+) syphilis infection. Same day treatment was offered for symptoms according to syndromic management guidelines. The treatment actually provided by healthcare workers was documented. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were used to assess the effectiveness of syndromic management guidelines and practice.

RESULTS

The prevalence of infections were: BV 47.7%, TV 17.3%, candida 60.6%, gonorrhoea 4.3%, chlamydia 5.9%, syphilis 1.6%, and HIV 13.1%. In total, 39.7% of women with BV and 30.2% of those with TV were asymptomatic. The sensitivity of syndromic management as applied by health workers in targeting BV and TV was 50.0% and 66.7%, respectively. This would have increased to 60.3% (BV) and 69.8% (TV) had the algorithm been followed exactly.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of BV and TV seen in this and other African populations is high. High rates of asymptomatic infection and a tendency of healthcare workers to deviate from management guidelines by following their own personal clinical judgment imply that many vaginal infections remain untreated. Alternative strategies, such as presumptive treatment of BV and TV in pregnancy, should be considered.

Factors associated with HIV testing among black Africans in Britain

OBJECTIVE

To describe the factors associated with HIV testing among heterosexual black Africans aged 16-44 years living in Britain.

DESIGN

We analysed data from the second British National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal 2000)-a stratified national probability sample survey conducted between 1999-2001. Data from Natsal's main and ethnic minority boost (EMB) samples were analysed. Multivariate analysis was performed using complex survey functions to account for the clustered, stratified, and differential selection probabilities inherent within the survey.

RESULTS

A total of 385 (216 women and 169 men) black African respondents were included in the study. 44.0% women and 36.4% men reported ever having had an HIV test. In univariate analysis, HIV testing was associated with being born abroad (OR 3.63), having a new partner(s) from abroad in past 5 years (OR 2.88), and attending a GUM clinic (OR 3.27) among men; and educational attainment (OR 3.50), perception of "not very much" personal risk of HIV (OR 2.75), and attending a GUM clinic (OR 2.91) among women. After adjusting for potential confounders, an increased likelihood of HIV testing was associated with being in the United Kingdom less than 5 years relative to being UK born (adjusted OR 9.49), and ever attending a GUM clinic (adj OR 5.53), for men; and educational attainment (adj OR 4.13), and low perception of HIV risk (adj OR 2.77) for women.

CONCLUSIONS

Black Africans appear to have relatively high rates of HIV testing reflecting, at least partially, awareness of risk behaviours and potential exposure to HIV. Nevertheless, there remains substantial potential for health gain and innovative approaches are required to further increase timely HIV testing.

Cervical human papillomavirus infection and squamous intraepithelial lesions in rural Gambia, West Africa: viral sequence analysis and epidemiology

The development of effective strategies against cervical cancer in Africa requires accurate type specific data on human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence, including determination of DNA sequences in order to maximise local vaccine efficacy. We have investigated cervical HPV infection and squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) in an unselected cohort of 1061 women in a rural Gambian community. Squamous intraepithelial lesions was diagnosed using cytology and histology, HPV was typed by PCR-ELISA of DNA extracts, which were also DNA sequenced. The prevalence of cervical HPV infection was 13% and SIL were observed in 7% of subjects. Human papillomavirus-16 was most prevalent and most strongly associated with SIL. Also common were HPV-18, -33, -58 and, notably, -35. Human papillomavirus DNA sequencing revealed HPV-16 samples to be exclusively African type 1 (Af1). Subjects of the Wolof ethnic group had a lower prevalence of HPV infection while subjects aged 25-44 years had a higher prevalence of cervical precancer than older or younger subjects. This first report of HPV prevalence in an unselected, unscreened rural population confirms high rates of SIL and HPV infection in West Africa. This study has implications for the vaccination of Gambian and other African populations in the prevention of cervical cancer.

Comparison of non-invasive sampling methods for detection of HPV in rural African women

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of cervical cancer is extremely high in low income countries, primarily because of a lack of cytological screening. The link between human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer has long been recognised, and it has been suggested that isolated HPV testing in women who do not participate in existing screening programmes may be used to identify women at higher risk of developing cervical cancer. This community based study compares two self administered techniques for detecting HPV (tampons and self administered swabs) with a clinician directed technique, the cervical cytobrush.

METHODS

377 rural women were interviewed and of these 210 women had full gynaecological examination, and accepted all three sampling methods for HPV. HPV typing of DNA extracts was performed using polymerase chain reaction and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay techniques.

RESULTS

Using the cervical cytobrush as the gold standard, self administered swabs (SAS) showed a sensitivity of 63.9%, and tampons showed a sensitivity of 72.4%. The acceptability of these two tests was 97.1% and 84.6% respectively. When combining acceptability with sensitivity, the SAS detected 61.9% and the tampons detected 60.9% of the true positives.

CONCLUSION

In a setting where women are at a considerable risk of developing cervical cancer, with no access to a formal screening programme, self directed HPV testing could be a useful screening tool in identifying those women at increased risk who may require further investigation.

Bacterial vaginosis in relation to menstrual cycle, menstrual protection method, and sexual intercourse in rural Gambian women

OBJECTIVE

To examine the occurrence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) over the menstrual cycle and in relation to menstrual protection materials and sexual intercourse in a rural African setting.

METHODS

Married, regularly menstruating female volunteers were asked to collect self administered swabs on alternate days through four menstrual cycles. BV was assessed using Nugent scores. Menstruation and reported sexual intercourse data were recorded contemporaneously. A crossover design comparing traditional and modern menstrual protection methods was incorporated. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine associations with BV.

RESULTS

30 women completed four menstrual cycles in the study. Completeness and validity of data from the self administered swabs was high. Greater frequencies of BV were found for all women in the second week of the menstrual cycle relative to days 14+, and markedly higher frequencies of BV were found in the first week in women with infrequent BV. BV was (non-significantly) more frequent when modern pads were used compared with traditional cloths. No association was found between BV and intercourse reported in the previous 4 days; or between the frequency of reported intercourse in one menstrual cycle and BV in either the same menstrual cycle or the next.

CONCLUSIONS

Similar transient fluctuations over the menstrual cycle were found to those in industrialised countries. We found no evidence that sexual intercourse was associated with increased frequency of BV. Our data do not support hypotheses that menstrual hygiene materials might explain the high prevalences of BV found in sub-Saharan Africa compared to industrialised countries.

Performance of the rapid plasma reagin and the rapid syphilis screening tests in the diagnosis of syphilis in field conditions in rural Africa

OBJECTIVES

To assess the rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test performance in the field and to evaluate a new rapid syphilis test (RST) as a primary screen for syphilis.

METHODS

1325 women of reproductive age from rural communities in the Gambia were tested for syphilis seropositivity using a RPR 18 mm circle card and a RST strip. Within 1 week a repeat RPR and a TPHA test were carried out using standard techniques in the laboratory.

RESULTS

Comparing field tests to a diagnosis of "active" syphilis defined as laboratory RPR and TPHA positive, the RPR test was 77.5% sensitive and 94.1% specific; the RST was 75.0% sensitive and 95.2% specific. The RST was easier to use and interpret than the RPR test especially where field conditions were difficult. In this setting with a low prevalence of syphilis in the community (3%), the chance of someone with a positive test being confirmed as having serologically active syphilis was less than 50% for both tests.

CONCLUSIONS

The appropriateness of syphilis screening using RPR testing in antenatal clinics and health centres should be questioned if there is a low prevalence in the population, conditions for testing are poor, and resources limited. There is still an urgent need for an appropriate rapid syphilis test for field use.

Role of core and bridging groups in the transmission dynamics of HIV and STIs in Cotonou, Benin, West Africa

The potential for exposure of low and high risk women to HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI) through unprotected sex with male clients of female sex workers in Cotonou could account for most if not all of the estimated yearly numbers of HIV infections in Cotonou women (approximately 1000). As ongoing transmission of HIV, and also of the most predominant STIs such as gonorrhoea and HSV-2, appears to be largely fuelled by transmission within core and bridging groups in Cotonou, interventions targeted at both female sex workers and their male clients remain of the utmost importance and could have a significant effect on the evolution of HIV/STI epidemics in Benin.

Randomised controlled trial of training health visitors to identify and help couples with relationship problems following a birth

BACKGROUND

Stresses imposed by parenthood can provoke or intensify relationship problems between parents. These problems, which are often associated with postnatal depression, can have serious consequences for family well-being but are often not revealed to primary health care personnel.

AIM

To evaluate a means of extending the primary health care team's ability to identify and respond to relationship problems of mothers and their partners in the postnatal period.

DESIGN OF STUDY

Cluster randomised controlled trial.

SETTING

Specially trained health visitors in nine 'intervention' clinics--each matched with a 'control' clinic' in an outer London borough.

METHOD

Health visitors in intervention clinics invited mothers attending for the six-to-eight-week developmental check to complete a screening scale for relationship problems, and offered help (supportive listening, advice, or referral) if needed. When visiting the clinic for the 12-week immunizations, mothers from all clinics were asked to complete a follow-up self-report questionnaire. After the completion of the trial, 25 women who had attended the intervention clinics and had been offered support with a relationship problem were interviewed to elicit their views on the acceptability and value of the intervention. All 25 of the health visitors engaged in the intervention were asked to complete a questionnaire on their experience.

RESULTS

Screening led to striking differences between intervention and control clinics in the percentage of women identified at the six-to-eight-week check as potentially in need of help with a relationship problem (21% versus 5%, P = 0.007) and in the percentage actually offered help (18% versus 3%, P = 0.014). About one-half of the mothers so identified were also identified as having postnatal depression. At the 12-week visit for immunizations, the intervention group was twice as likely (P = 0.006) as the control group to report having discussed relationship problems with the health visitor and 75% more likely (P = 0.046) to report having received help with a problem.

CONCLUSION

The intervention offers a useful way of extending the primary health care team's ability to respond to problems that often have serious consequences for family well-being.

Prevalence of herpes simplex type 2 and syphilis serology among young adults in a rural Gambian community

OBJECTIVES

To estimate prevalence and risk factors for herpes simplex 2 (HSV2) positivity, syphilis and Chlamydia trachomatis infection among rural people aged 15-34 in the Gambia.

METHODS

Questionnaires and serum samples were collected from 1076 men and women aged 15-34 during a cross sectional prevalence survey in a rural area of the Gambia. Sera were screened for antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2), and for syphilis using Treponema pallidum haemagglutination assay (TPHA) and rapid plasma reagin (RPR) tests. Urine was tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for C trachomatis infection.

RESULTS

28% of women and 5% of men were HSV2 ELISA positive; 10% of women and 2% of men were TPHA positive; and 7% of women and 1% of men were both RPR and TPHA positive. Out of 1030 urine sample tested only six were positive for C trachomatis. 7% of those who reported never having sex were positive for one or other of these tests. Prevalences of all STIs increased with age and were higher in women than men. Women were much less likely than men to seek treatment for STI symptoms at a health centre. Married people were at increased risk of an STI compared with single people. Jola and Fula women had a higher prevalence of HSV2 than women from other ethnic groups, and Fulas also had a higher prevalence of RPR/TPHA positivity. The limited number of sexual behaviour questions were not significantly associated with STIs after adjustment for age, marital status, and ethnic group.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalences of the ulcerative infections HSV2 and syphilis in this population are a cause for concern. In a setting where HIV1 prevalence remains low this indicates an urgent need for STI control and behaviour change programmes to prevent an HIV epidemic. Concerns about the validity of reported sexual behaviour data high light the necessity of biological markers in the evaluation of behaviour change programmes.

Effects of malaria during pregnancy on infant mortality in an area of low malaria transmission

Malaria during pregnancy reduces birth weight, and low birth weight is a major determinant of infant mortality. The authors estimated the impact of malaria during pregnancy on infant mortality in a Karen population living in Thailand. Between 1993 and 1996, a cohort of 1,495 mothers and their infants was followed weekly from admission of the mother to antenatal clinics until the first birthday of the infant. Both falciparum malaria and vivax malaria during pregnancy were associated with low birth weight but did not shorten gestation. Febrile illness in the week before delivery was associated with premature birth. Preterm and full-term low birth weight and fever in the week before delivery were associated with neonatal mortality. Maternal fevers close to term were also associated with the deaths of infants aged between 1 and 3 months, whereas no risk factors could be identified for deaths that occurred later in infancy. Thus, malaria during pregnancy increased neonatal mortality by lowering birth weight, whereas fever in the week before birth had a further independent effect in addition to inducing premature birth. The prevention of malaria in pregnancy and, thus, of malaria-attributable low birth weight should increase the survival of young babies.

HIV-1 subtypes and the HIV epidemics in four cities in sub-Saharan Africa

OBJECTIVE

To describe the distribution of HIV-1 subtypes in two cities with high HIV prevalence (Kisumu, Kenya and Ndola, Zambia) and two with relatively low prevalence (Cotonou, Benin and Yaoundé, Cameroon), and to examine whether the differences in prevalence of HIV infection could be due to the predominance within the infected populations of subtypes with differing efficiency of heterosexual transmission.

METHODS

For around 100 randomly selected HIV-positive sera from the general population and 60 from sex workers in each city, the HIV-1 subtype was determined in the envfragment. For between 19 and 52 of the sera from the general population and 20-32 sera from sex workers, the subtype was also determined in the gag fragment.

RESULTS

Over 70% of infections in Cotonou, Yaoundé and Kisumu were with subtype A (by env). However, around one-half of subtype A infections in Cotonou and Yaoundé were found to be the circulating recombinant form CRF02_AG when the gag fragment was also examined. A large number of different HIV strains were found in Yaoundé, including some belonging to group O. Over 20% of infections in Kisumu and around 10% in Yaoundé were with isolated intersubtype recombinant forms. All but a few infections in Ndola were with subtype C and no recombinants were found.

CONCLUSIONS

The pattern of distribution of subtypes that we found does not suggest that differences in circulating subtypes play a major role in explaining the differences in prevalence of HIV-1 infection between the four cities. The emergence and spread of recombinants requires close surveillance to adapt testing strategies if needed, to inform vaccine development and to ascertain their role in the future spread of HIV.

Commercial sex and the spread of HIV in four cities in sub-Saharan Africa

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether commercial sex transactions were more common and/or transmission between sex workers and clients more efficient in two African cities with high HIV prevalence (Kisumu, Kenya and Ndola, Zambia) compared with two with relatively low HIV prevalence (Cotonou, Benin and Yaoundé, Cameroon).

METHODS

Data on sexual behaviour, HIV and sexually transmitted infections were collected from representative samples of around 300 female sex workers in each city. Sexual behaviour data from a population-based study of around 1000 men aged 15-49 in each city were used to estimate the extent of contact with sex workers.

RESULTS

The number of sex workers per 1000 males was highest in Kisumu and Ndola, but other estimates of the extent or characteristics of sex work contact showed no consistent differences between high or low prevalence cities. HIV prevalence among sex workers was 75% in Kisumu, 69% in Ndola, 55% in Cotonou and 34% in Yaoundé. The prevalence of genital ulceration and trichomoniasis was higher among sex workers in Kisumu and Ndola but no clear pattern was seen for the other sexually transmitted infections. Around 70% of sex workers in Cotonou reported use of a condom with the last client, markedly higher than in the other cities.

CONCLUSIONS

Although sex work is likely to have played an important role in the spread of HIV in all four cities, differences in present patterns of sex work do not appear to explain the differential spread of HIV. However, high levels of condom use among sex workers may have slowed the spread from sex workers to the general population in Cotonou, highlighting the importance of interventions among sex workers and their clients.

Ecological and individual level analysis of risk factors for HIV infection in four urban populations in sub-Saharan Africa with different levels of HIV infection

OBJECTIVE

To identify factors that could explain differences in rate of spread of HIV between different regions in sub-Saharan Africa.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

The study took place in two cities with a relatively low HIV prevalence (Cotonou, Benin and Yaoundé, Cameroon), and two cities with a high HIV prevalence (Kisumu, Kenya and Ndola, Zambia). In each of these cities, a representative sample was taken of about 1000 men and 1000 women aged 15-49 years. Consenting men and women were interviewed about their socio-demographic background and sexual behaviour; and were tested for HIV, herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), syphilis, Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoea infection, and (women only) Trichomonas vaginalis. Analysis of risk factors for HIV infection was carried out for each city and each sex separately. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were obtained by multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

The prevalence of HIV infection in sexually active men was 3.9% in Cotonou, 4.4% in Yaoundé, 21.1% in Kisumu, and 25.4% in Ndola. For women, the corresponding figures were 4.0, 8.4, 31.6 and 35.1%. High-risk sexual behaviour was not more common in the high HIV prevalence cities than in the low HIV prevalence cities, but HSV-2 infection and lack of circumcision were consistently more prevalent in the high HIV prevalence cities than in the low HIV prevalence cities. In multivariate analysis, the association between HIV infection and sexual behavioural factors was variable across the four cities. Syphilis was associated with HIV infection in Ndola in men [aOR = 2.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.5-4.91 and in women (aOR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.1-2.6). HSV-2 infection was strongly associated with HIV infection in all four cities and in both sexes (aOR ranging between 4.4 and 8.0). Circumcision had a strong protective effect against the acquisition of HIV by men in Kisumu (aOR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.12-0.52). In Ndola, no association was found between circumcision and HIV infection but sample sizes were too small to fully adjust for confounding.

CONCLUSION

The strong association between HIV and HSV-2 and male circumcision, and the distribution of the risk factors, led us to conclude that differences in efficiency of HIV transmission as mediated by biological factors outweigh differences in sexual behaviour in explaining the variation in rate of spread of HIV between the four cities.

The long-term reproductive health consequences of female genital cutting in rural Gambia: a community-based survey

This paper examines the association between traditional practices of female genital cutting (FGC) and adult women's reproductive morbidity in rural Gambia. In 1999, we conducted a cross-sectional community survey of 1348 women aged 15-54 years, to estimate the prevalence of reproductive morbidity on the basis of women's reports, a gynaecological examination and laboratory analysis of specimens. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to compare the prevalence of each morbidity between cut and uncut women adjusting for possible confounders. A total of 1157 women consented to gynaecological examination and 58% had signs of genital cutting. There was a high level of agreement between reported circumcision status and that found on examination (97% agreement). The majority of operations consisted of clitoridectomy and excision of the labia minora (WHO classification type II) and were performed between the ages of 4 and 7 years. The practice of genital cutting was highly associated with ethnic group for two of the three main ethnic groups, making the effects of ethnic group and cutting difficult to distinguish. Women who had undergone FGC had a significantly higher prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) [adjusted odds ratio (OR)=1.66; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-2.18] and a substantially higher prevalence of herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2) [adjusted OR=4.71; 95% CI 3.46-6.42]. The higher prevalence of HSV2 suggests that cut women may be at increased risk of HIV infection. Commonly cited negative consequences of FGC such as damage to the perineum or anus, vulval tumours (such as Bartholin's cysts and excessive keloid formation), painful sex, infertility, prolapse and other reproductive tract infections (RTIs) were not significantly more common in cut women. The relationship between FGC and long-term reproductive morbidity remains unclear, especially in settings where type II cutting predominates. Efforts to eradicate the practice should incorporate a human rights approach rather than rely solely on the damaging health consequences.

The epidemiology of gonorrhoea, chlamydial infection and syphilis in four African cities

OBJECTIVES

To compare the epidemiology of gonorrhoea, chlamydial infection and syphilis in four cities in sub-Saharan Africa; two with a high prevalence of HIV infection (Kisumu, Kenya and Ndola, Zambia), and two with a relatively low HIV prevalence (Cotonou, Benin and Yaoundé, Cameroon).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study, using standardized methods, including a standardized questionnaire and standardized laboratory tests, in four cities in sub-Saharan Africa.

METHODS

In each city, a random sample of about 2000 adults aged 15-49 years was taken. Consenting men and women were interviewed about their socio-demographic characteristics and their sexual behaviour, and were tested for HIV, syphilis, herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), gonorrhoea, chlamydial infection, and (women only) Trichomonas vaginalis infection. Risk factor analyses were carried out for chlamydial infection and syphilis seroreactivity.

RESULTS

The prevalence of gonorrhoea ranged between 0% in men in Kisumu and 2.7% in women in Yaoundé. Men and women in Yaoundé had the highest prevalence of chlamydial infection (5.9 and 9.4%, respectively). In the other cities, the prevalence of chlamydial infection ranged between 1.3% in women in Cotonou and 4.5% in women in Kisumu. In Ndola, the prevalence of syphilis seroreactivity was over 10% in both men and women; it was around 6% in Yaoundé, 3-4% in Kisumu, and 1-2% in Cotonou. Chlamydial infection was associated with rate of partner change for both men and women, and with young age for women. At the population level, the prevalence of chlamydial infection correlated well with reported rates of partner change. Positive syphilis serology was associated with rate of partner change and with HSV-2 infection. The latter association could be due to biological interaction between syphilis and HSV-2 or to residual confounding by sexual behaviour. At the population level, there was no correlation between prevalence of syphilis seroreactivity and reported rates of partner change.

CONCLUSION

Differences in prevalence of chlamydial infection could be explained by differences in reported sexual behaviour, but the variations in prevalence of syphilis seroreactivity remained unexplained. More research is needed to better understand the epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections in Africa.

Multicentre study on factors determining differences in rate of spread of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: methods and prevalence of HIV infection

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to explore whether the differences in rate of spread of HIV in different regions in sub-Saharan Africa could be explained by differences in sexual behaviour and/or factors influencing the probability of HIV transmission during sexual intercourse.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, population-based study was conducted in two cities with a high HIV prevalence (Kisumu in Kenya and Ndola in Zambia) and two cities with a relatively low HIV prevalence (Cotonou in Benin and Yaoundé in Cameroon). In each of these cities, approximately 1000 men and 1000 women, aged 15-49 years, were randomly selected from the general population. Consenting men and women were interviewed and were tested for HIV, syphilis, herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), gonorrhoea, chlamydial infection and trichomoniasis (the latter for women only). In addition, a survey was conducted on a random sample of 300 sex workers in each city. The research instruments, including the questionnaires and the laboratory procedures, were standardized to permit comparison of results.

RESULTS

The numbers of men interviewed were 1021 in Cotonou, 973 in Yaoundé, 829 in Kisumu, and 720 in Ndola. The corresponding figures for women were 1095, 1116, 1060 and 1130. In Yaoundé, Kisumu and Ndola, the response rates for men were lower than for women due to failure to make contact with eligible men. The proportion of eligible women who were interviewed was 86% in Yaoundé, and 89% in Kisumu and Ndola. In Yaoundé, 76% of eligible men were interviewed, along with 82% in Kisumu and 75% in Ndola. The prevalence of HIV infection in men was 3.3% in Cotonou, 4.1% in Yaoundé, 19.8% in Kisumu and 23.2% in Ndola. For women, the respective figures were 3.4, 7.8, 30.1 and 31.9%. The prevalence of HIV infection among women aged 15-19 years was 23.0% in Kisumu and 15.4% in Ndola. Among women in Kisumu who had their sexual debut 5 years before the interview, the prevalence of HIV infection was 46%; in Ndola, it was 59%. Among sex workers, the prevalence of HIV infection was 57.5% in Cotonou, 34.4% in Yaoundé, 74.7% in Kisumu and 68.7% in Ndola.

CONCLUSIONS

The HIV prevalence rates in the general population confirmed our preliminary assessment of the level of HIV infection in the four cities, which was based on estimates of HIV prevalence from sentinel surveillance among pregnant women. The very high prevalence of HIV infection among young women in Kisumu and Ndola calls for urgent intervention.

The epidemiology of HSV-2 infection and its association with HIV infection in four urban African populations

OBJECTIVES

To estimate age- and sex-specific herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) prevalence in urban African adult populations and to identify factors associated with infection.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Cross-sectional, population-based samples of about 2000 adults interviewed in each of the following cities: Cotonou, Benin; Yaoundé, Cameroon; Kisumu, Kenya and Ndola, Zambia. Consenting study participants were tested for HIV, HSV-2 and other sexually transmitted infections.

RESULTS

HSV-2 prevalence was over 50% among women and over 25% among men in Yaoundé, Kisumu and Ndola, with notably high rates of infection among young women in Kisumu and Ndola (39% and 23%, respectively, among women aged 15-19 years). The prevalence in Cotonou was lower (30% in women and 12% in men). Multivariate analysis showed that HSV-2 prevalence was significantly associated with older age, ever being married, and number of lifetime sexual partners, in almost all cities and both sexes. There was also a strong, consistent association with HIV infection. Among women, the adjusted odds ratios for the association between HSV-2 and HIV infections ranged from 4.0 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.0-8.0] in Kisumu to 5.5 (95% CI = 1.7-18) in Yaoundé, and those among men ranged from 4.6 (95% CI = 2.7-7.7) in Ndola to 7.9 (95% CI = 4.1-15) in Kisumu.

CONCLUSIONS

HSV-2 infection is highly prevalent in these populations, even at young ages, and is strongly associated with HIV at an individual level. At a population level, HSV-2 prevalence was highest in Kisumu and Ndola, the cities with the highest HIV rates, although rates were also high among women in Yaoundé, where there are high rates of partner change but relatively little HIV infection. The high prevalence of both infections among young people underlines the need for education and counselling among adolescents.

The epidemiology of trichomoniasis in women in four African cities

OBJECTIVES

To describe the epidemiology of Trichomonas vaginalis infection and its association with HIV infection, in women in four African cities with different levels of HIV infection.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study, using standardized methods, including a standardized questionnaire and standardized laboratory tests, in four cities in sub-Saharan Africa: two with a high prevalence of HIV infection (Kisumu, Kenya and Ndola, Zambia), and two with a relatively low prevalence of HIV (Cotonou, Benin and Yaoundé, Cameroon).

METHODS

In each city, a random sample of about 2000 adults aged 15-49 years was taken. Consenting men and women were interviewed about their socio-demographic characteristics and their sexual behaviour, and were tested for HIV, syphilis, herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), gonorrhoea, chlamydial infection, and (women only) T. vaginalis infection. Risk factor analyses were carried out for trichomoniasis for each city separately. Multivariate analysis, however, was only possible for Yaoundé, Kisumu and Ndola.

RESULTS

The prevalence of trichomoniasis was significantly higher in the high HIV prevalence cities (29.3% in Kisumu and 34.3% in Ndola) than in Cotonou (3.2%) and Yaoundé (17.6%). Risk of trichomoniasis was increased in women who reported more lifetime sex partners. HIV infection was an independent risk factor for trichomonas infection in Yaoundé [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.9-3.7] and Kisumu (adjusted OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.1-2.7), but not in Ndola. A striking finding was the high prevalence (40%) of trichomonas infection in women in Ndola who denied that they had ever had sex.

CONCLUSION

Trichomoniasis may have played a role in the spread of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa and may be one of the factors explaining the differences in levels of HIV infection between different regions in Africa. The differences in prevalence of trichomoniasis between the four cities remain unexplained, but we lack data on the epidemiology of trichomoniasis in men. More research is required on the interaction between trichomoniasis and HIV infection, the epidemiology of trichomoniasis in men, and trichomonas infections in women who deny sexual activity.

Concurrent sexual partnerships and HIV prevalence in five urban communities of sub-Saharan Africa

OBJECTIVE

To estimate parameters of concurrent sexual partnerships in five urban populations in sub-Saharan Africa and to assess their association with levels of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections (STI).

METHODS

Data were obtained from a multicentre study of factors which determine the differences in rate of spread of HIV in five African cities. Consenting participants were interviewed on sexual behaviour and at four of the five sites also provided a blood and a urine sample for testing for HIV and other STI. Data on sexual behaviour included the number of partnerships in the 12 months preceding the interview as well as the dates of the start and end of each partnership. Summary indices of concurrent sexual partnerships -- some of which were taken from the literature, while others were newly developed -- were computed for each city and compared to HIV and STI prevalence rates.

RESULTS

A total of 1819 adults aged 15--49 years were interviewed in Dakar (Senegal), 2116 in Cotonou (Benin), 2089 in Yaoundé (Cameroon), 1889 in Kisumu (Kenya) and 1730 in Ndola (Zambia). Prevalence rates of HIV infection were 3.4% for Cotonou, 5.9% for Yaoundé, 25.9% for Kisumu and 28.4% for Ndola, and around 1% for Dakar. The estimated fraction of sexual partnerships that were concurrent at the time of interview (index k) was relatively high in Yaoundé (0.98), intermediate in Kisumu (0.44) and Cotonou (0.33) and low in Ndola (0.26) and in Dakar (0.18). An individual indicator of concurrency (iic) was developed which depends neither on the number of partners nor on the length of the partnerships and estimates the individual propensity to keep (positive values) or to dissolve (negative values) on-going partnership before engaging in another one. This measure iic did not discriminate between cities with high HIV infection levels and cities with low HIV infection levels. In addition, iic did not differ significantly between HIV-infected and uninfected people in the four cities where data on HIV status were collected.

CONCLUSION

We could not find evidence that concurrent sexual partnerships were a major determinant of the rate of spread of HIV in five cities in sub-Saharan Africa. HIV epidemics are the result of many factors, behavioural as well as biological, of which concurrent sexual partnerships are only one.

Screening for severe anaemia in pregnancy in Kenya, using pallor examination and self-reported morbidity

Severe anaemia in pregnancy is an important preventable cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Different methods of screening for severe anaemia in pregnancy were evaluated in a 2-phased study conducted in Kilifi, Kenya. In phase 1 (in 1994/95), pallor testing was evaluated alone and in addition to raised respiratory/pulse rates: 1787 pregnant women were examined by one of 2 midwives. Sensitivities for detecting severe anaemia (haemoglobin < 7 g/dL) were 62% and 69% and specificities 87% and 77%, respectively for each of the midwives. Addition of high pulse rate increased sensitivity to 77% and 81%, but specificity reduced to 60% and 51%, respectively. In phase 2, following qualitative in-depth work, a screening questionnaire was developed. An algorithm based on screening questions had 80% sensitivity and 40% specificity. Midwife pallor-assessment was conducted following the screening questionnaire. In this phase (conducted in 1997), the midwife performed very highly in detecting severe anaemia, achieving sensitivity of 84% and specificity of 92%. Spending a few minutes asking women questions may have improved the ability to interpret pallor findings. This study demonstrates the value of pallor testing and raises alternative approaches to improving it.

The burden of reproductive-organ disease in rural women in The Gambia, West Africa

BACKGROUND

Data on the epidemiology of reproductive-organ morbidity are needed to guide effective interventions, to set health-care priorities, and to target future research. This study aimed to find out the prevalence of reproductive-organ disease in a sample of rural Gambian women.

METHODS

A questionnaire on reproductive health was administered by fieldworkers to women aged 15-54 years living in a rural area under demographic surveillance. A female gynaecologist questioned and examined the women (including speculum and bimanual pelvic examinations). Vaginal swabs were taken to test for Trichomonas vaginalis, Candida albicans, and bacterial vaginosis, cervical smears for cytology, cervical swabs for Chlamydia trachomatis PCR and Neisseria gonorrhoeae culture, and venous blood for haemoglobin, HIV, herpes simplex virus 2, and syphilis serology.

FINDINGS

1348 (72.0%) of 1871 eligible women took part. Reproductive-organ symptoms were more likely to be reported to the gynaecologist (52.7% of women) than to the fieldworker (26.5%). Menstrual problems, abnormal vaginal discharge, and vaginal itching were the most commonly reported symptoms. A minority of women said they had sought health care for their symptoms. The frequencies of reproductive-organ morbidity were high: menstrual dysfunction 34.1% (95% CI 29.6-39.1), infertility 9.8% (8.2-11.6), reproductive-tract infections 47.3% (43.7-51.0), pelvic tenderness 9.8% ((7.0-13.5), cervical dysplasia 6.7% (5.2-8.4), masses 15.9% (12.5-20.1), and childbirth-related damage to pelvic structures 46.1% (40.1-52.3). 948 (70.3%) women had at least one reproductive-organ disorder.

INTERPRETATION

For these rural women, whose lives depend heavily on their reproductive function, reproductive-organ disease is a large burden. In inadequately resourced rural areas, with poor education, heavy agricultural and domestic labour, and limited access to quality health care, many women are not able to attain and maintain reproductive health and wellbeing.

The global epidemiology of HIV/AIDS

In this paper, the ways in which HIV is transmitted and factors facilitating transmission are described, although we still do not fully understand why the HIV epidemic has spread so heterogeneously across the globe. Estimates of HIV prevalence vary in quality but give some idea of trends in different countries and regions. Of all regions in the world, sub-Saharan Africa is the hardest hit by HIV, containing around 70% of people living with HIV/AIDS. There are, however, recent signs of hope in Africa due to a slight reduction in the number of new HIV cases in the year 2000. Most countries in Asia have not seen explosive epidemics in the general population up to now but patterns of injecting drug use (IDU) and sex work are conducive to the spread of HIV so there is no room for complacency. Unpredictable epidemics among IDU in the former Soviet Union have the potential to spread into the general population. Some countries in Central America and the Caribbean have growing HIV epidemics with adult prevalences second only to sub-Saharan Africa. Reductions in morbidity and mortality through the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy are at present limited to high-income and some Latin American countries. Both the cost of these therapies and the poor health care delivery systems in many affected countries need to be addressed before antiretrovirals can benefit the majority of people living with HIV/AIDS.

Simplified strategy for detection of recombinant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 group M isolates by gag/env heteroduplex mobility assay. Study Group on Heterogeneity of HIV Epidemics in African Cities

We developed a heteroduplex mobility assay in the gag gene (gag HMA) for the identification of group M subtypes A to H. The assay covers the region coding for amino acid 132 of p24 to amino acid 20 of p7 (according to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 [HIV-1] ELI, 460 bp). The gag HMA was compared with sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of an evaluation panel of 79 HIV-1 group M isolates isolated from infected individuals from different geographic regions. Application of gag HMA in combination with env HMA on 252 HIV-1- positive plasma samples from Bénin, Cameroon, Kenya, and Zambia revealed a high prevalence of a variety of intersubtype recombinants in Yaoundé, Cameroon (53.8%); Kisumu, Kenya (26.8%); and Cotonou, Bénin (41%); no recombinants were identified among the samples from Ndola, Zambia. The AG(IbNG) circulating recombinant form, as determined by gag HMA, was found to be the most common intersubtype recombinant in Yaoundé (39.4%) and Cotonou (38.5%). Using a one-tube reverse transcriptase PCR protocol, this gag HMA in combination with env HMA is a useful tool for rapidly monitoring the prevalence of the various genetic subtypes as well as of recombinants of HIV-1. Moreover, this technology can easily be applied in laboratories in developing countries.

Reproductive-tract infections in women in low-income, low-prevalence situations: assessment of syndromic management in Matlab, Bangladesh

BACKGROUND

In the control of reproductive-tract infections, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs), in low-income and middle-income countries, WHO recommends syndromic management for individuals with symptoms. This intervention was initially developed in areas where prevalence of such infections is high. We investigated the clinical effectiveness and cost of this approach among a group of women with a low prevalence of infection.

METHODS

During a 5-month period, we investigated all women complaining of abnormal vaginal discharge and seeking care at maternal and child health/family-planning centres in Matlab, Bangladesh, for the presence of laboratory-diagnosed reproductive-tract infections and STIs. Syndromic diagnoses made by trained health-care workers were compared with laboratory diagnosis of infection. We then calculated the costs of treating women by means of the recommended WHO algorithm and an adapted algorithm incorporating use of a speculum and simple diagnostic tests.

FINDINGS

The prevalence of endogenous infections among 320 women seen was 30%. Cervical infections (Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis) were found in only three women. The WHO algorithm had a high sensitivity (100%) but a low specificity (zero for bacterial vaginosis, candida, and Trichomonas vaginalis). The speculum-based algorithm had a low sensitivity (between zero and 59%) but a higher specificity (79-97%). Between 36% and 87% of costs would have been spent on uninfected women.

INTERPRETATION

The high rate of overtreatment in the population studied carries both financial and social costs--the latter in potentially exposing women misdiagnosed as having an STI to threats of domestic disruption or even violence. We make recommendations for management programmes in areas of low STI prevalence and low income.