The prevalence of symptomatic sexually transmitted diseases and human immunodeficiency virus infection in outpatients in Lilongwe, Malawi

Abstract

In June 1989 a pilot study on the prevalence of STDs was performed at Kamuzu Central Hospital, Lilogwe, Malawi. Among unselected out-patients an STD prevalence of 4.4% was found. The patients were predominantly males (82.7%), the age was predominantly 20-35 yr. The distribution of the diagnoses was dominated by a relatively large proportion of "ulcer-diseases" (syphilis, chancroid and lymphogranuloma venereum) making up 67% of the patients. Almost two thirds of the patients were HIV-positive (62.4%). No significant difference was found in HIV-infection prevalence when patients with ulcer diseases were compared with patients with discharges. Among the patients with gonorrhoea a prevalence of penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae of 53% was found. It is concluded that a plan for the management of STDs is urgently needed as it is of paramount importance to combat STDs in order to prevent the spread of HIV-infection.

PIP: In June 1989, a pilot study investigating the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) was conducted at Kamuzu Central Hospital, Lilongwe, Malawi. Among unselected outpatients, an STD prevalence of 4.4% was found. The patients were predominantly 20-35 years of age. The distribution of diagnoses was dominated by a relatively large proportion of ulcer diseases (syphilis, chancroid, and lymphogranuloma venereum), seen among 67% of the patients. Almost 2.3 of the patients were HIV-positive (62.4%). No significant difference was found in HIV infection prevalence when patients with ulcer diseases were compared to patients with discharges. Among the patients with gonorrhea, a prevalence of penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoea of 53% was found. It is concluded that a plan for the management of STDs is urgently needed as it is of paramount importance in combatting STDS in order to prevent the spread of HIV infection.