Higher risk behaviour and rates of sexually transmitted diseases in Mwanza compared to Uganda may help explain HIV prevention trial outcomes

Kate K. Orroth, Eline L. Korenromp, Richard G. White, Awene Gavyole, Ron H. Gray, Lawrence Muhangi, Nelson K. Sewankambo, Maria Quigley, Maria J. Wawer, James A.G. Whitworth, Heiner Grosskurth, J. Dik F. Habbema, Richard J. Hayes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To determine to what extent the higher impact of treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) on HIV incidence in Mwanza, Tanzania than in Rakai and Masaka, Uganda might be explained by baseline differences between the trial populations. Design: A re-analysis of baseline data from the three trial populations comparing demography, sexual risk behaviour and HIV/STD epidemiology. Methods: Data were compared after age-standardization and adjustments for sample selection where necessary. STD rates were also adjusted for the sensitivities and specificities of the diagnostic techniques used. Results: Demographic patterns were similar across populations, apart from effects of AIDS on fertility and mortality (including widowhood) in Uganda. Higher sexual risk behaviours, including younger age of sexual debut, higher numbers of recent partners and lower frequency of condom use, were apparent in Mwanza compared to Masaka and Rakai. High-titre serological syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia infection and trichomoniasis were all more prevalent in Mwanza, except for chlamydia infection in males. There was little difference between sites in the seroprevalence of Herpes simplex virus type-2. Age patterns in the prevalence of short-duration STD and current risk behaviours were similar across sites but all-titre serological syphilis was more prevalent among older participants in Rakai and Masaka than Mwanza. Conclusions: Differences between trial populations included higher reported risk behaviour and higher rates of curable STD in Mwanza compared to Rakai and Masaka. These differences probably relate to previous reductions in risk behaviour in Uganda and may explain, at least in part, the contrasting results of these trials.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2653-2660
Number of pages8
JournalAIDS
Volume17
Issue number18
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 5 2003
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Africa
  • Epidemiology
  • Intervention trials
  • Sexual behaviour
  • Sexually transmitted diseases

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Higher risk behaviour and rates of sexually transmitted diseases in Mwanza compared to Uganda may help explain HIV prevention trial outcomes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this