Search

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the design of a community-based study of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)/ HIV and infertility in northern Tanzania. Study Design: Households were selected using a 2-stage sampling design. Eligible women and their partners were interviewed before samples were collected for STIs/HIV detection. Posttest counseling and treatment for STIs and infertility were provided. Results: A total of 2019 women and 794 male partners were interviewed. Over 70% of interviewed women and men provided blood and urine samples. Individuals providing blood and urine samples had high-risk profiles for STIs/HIV when compared with others who did not provide these samples. Although the study results may be affected by selection bias, risk factors for STIs/HIV were similar to those in other studies supporting the generalizability of the findings. Conclusions: It is feasible to conduct a community-based survey, including collection of biomarkers and measurement of infertility, in this urban setting.

Background: Type-specific serological tests have allowed for a better understanding of the epidemiology of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection in Africa. Goal: The goal was to determine risk factors for HSV-2 among bar and hotel workers in Moshi, Tanzania. Study Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 515 workers in randomly selected bars and hotels in Moshi. Results: The seroprevalence of HSV-2 was 43.5%. Women were more likely to be HSV-2-seropositive than men (age-adjusted OR = 3.8; 95% CI = 2.5-5.8). In multivariate analyses, age was positively associated with HSV-2 in both women and men. HIV-1-seropositive women had a significantly increased risk of HSV-2 infection (adjusted OR = 2.8; 95% CI = 1.5-5.1). Other predictors of HSV-2 were religion and sexual behavior for women and level of education, frequency of alcohol use, and concurrent partners for men. Conclusion: The most common genital infection was that with HSV-2. Control of HSV-2 might be an important strategy for HIV-1 infection prevention in this population.

Use of an intrauterine device (IUD) contraceptive may be associated with a higher risk of HIV infection in women. Researchers in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania interviewed 2,285 women between the ages of 15 and 48 at family planning clinics to evaluate risk factors for HIV infection. The incidence of HIV infection among these women was 11.5%. Fifty percent of the HIV-positive women were married. Employment outside the home and a higher level of education of both the women and their husbands were associated with a greater likelihood of HIV infection. Women whose husbands had other sex partners were also at greater risk, as were women who had multiple partners and women with sexually transmitted diseases. Housewives and young women between 15 and 19 years old had the lowest prevalence of HIV infection. There was no significant association between HIV infection and either oral or injectable contraceptive use. Women who used IUDs, however, were 2.5 times more likely to be HIV positive.