HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in a cohort of women involved in high risk sexual behaviour in Kampala, Uganda
Loading...
Date
2011
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sexually transmitted diseases
Abstract
Uganda has long been successful in controlling the HIV epidemic but there is
evidence that HIV prevalence and incidence are increasing again. Data on the HIV/STI epidemic
among sex workers are so far lacking from Uganda. This paper describes the baseline
epidemiology of HIV/STI in a newly-established cohort of women involved in high risk sexual
behaviour in Kampala, Uganda.
Methods—Women were recruited from red-light-areas in Kampala. Between April 2008-May
2009, 1027 eligible women were enrolled. Socio-demographic and behavioural information was
collected; blood and genital samples were tested for HIV/STI. Risk factors for HIV-infection were
examined using multivariable logistic regression.
Results—HIV seroprevalence was 37%. The prevalence of N. gonorrhoea (NG) was 13%, C.
trachomatis (CT) 9%, T. vaginalis (TV) 17%, bacterial vaginosis (BV) 56% and 11% had candida
infection. 80% had HSV-2 antibodies, 21% were TPHA -positive and 10% had active syphilis
(RPR+TPHA+). In 3% of the genital ulcers, T. pallidum (TP) was identified, H. ducreyi (HD) in
6% and HSV-2 in 35%. Prevalent HIV was independently associated with older age, being
widowed, lack of education, sex work as sole income, street based sex work, not knowing HIVstatus,
using alcohol and intravaginal cleansing with soap. HIV-infection was associated with NG,
TV, BV, HSV-2 seropositivity and active syphilis.
Conclusions—Prevalence of HIV/STI is high among women involved in high risk sexual
behaviour in Kampala. Targeted HIV prevention interventions including regular STI screening,
VCT, condom promotion and counselling for reducing alcohol use are urgently needed in this
population.
Description
Keywords
HIV, STI, Female sex workers, Epidemiology, Risk behaviour, Uganda
Citation
Vandepitte, J., Bukenya, J., Weiss, HA, Nakubulwa, S., Francis, SC, Hughes, P., ... & Grosskurth, H. (2011). HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in a cohort of women involved in high risk sexual behavior in Kampala, Uganda. Sexually transmitted diseases , 38 (4), 316.