Genital Ulcers and Sexual Transmitted Disease in Rural Nigeria

Abstract

To determine the Epidemiological characteristic of genital ulcers and sexually transmitted diseases, incident cases with genital tract symptoms presenting at the primary care and secondary care centers; 4 private pharmacies, 3 private medical laboratories were seen at the Our Land of Lourdes Hospital through a system of supervised case referral. Patients with STDs were clinically assessed and investigated microbiologically, histopathologically and serologically and thereafter reclassified aetiologically. The incidence rate of STDs was 271.3 per 100,000 (.03%) populations per year. Male/female ratio was 1.7:1. The frequency of genital ulcers was 18.9% while that of non-identified genital infections was 11.3%. The frequencies of vaginal candidiasis, trichomoniasis, gonorrhoea, syphilis, genital herpes and HIV infections were 34.8%, 12.3%, 5.8%, 0.5%, 12.2%, 0.3%, respectively. Co-infections with multiple organisms were common Lymphogranuloma venereum, parasitic infections were infrequently encountered. S. aureus and coliform organism had frequencies of 37.1%, 31.4% respectively mostly as co-infections. Students and unemployed graduates constituted 36.9% of patients. Peak-age for the female patients was a decade earlier than the males. Seasonal variation in incidences occurred. Casual sex was a dominant behavioural pattern. The phenomenon of denial was encountered in females. STDs are not uncommon in rural Nigeria. Integration of Sexual health in rural health, family health, and school health is urgently needed.


Key Words: Genital ulcers, STDs, Rural Nigeria


Jnl of Medical Investigation and Practice Vol.2 2001: 28-33