Community Based Study of Treatment Seeking Among Subjects With Symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Disease in Rural Uganda

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1998. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Community Based Study of Treatment Seeking Among Subjects With Symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Disease in Rural Uganda

British Medical Journal Online (12/12/98) Vol. 317, No. 7173, P. 1630
Paxton, L.A.; Kiwanuka, N.; Nalugoda, F.; et al.

Researchers for the Rakai Project Study Group investigated treatment seeking among people with symptoms for sexually transmitted diseases residing in the Rakai District of Uganda. Baseline prevalence of infection was taken for over 12,000 people in the study: 10 percent had syphilis, 1.6 percent had gonorrhea, 3.1 percent had chlamydia, 24.3 percent of women had trachomonas, and 49.9 percent of women had bacterial vaginosis. Most of the subjects were asymptomatic. After 10 months of follow up, over 9,000 of the original subjects were surveyed for symptoms, with 30.4 percent of women and 9.7 percent of men experiencing genital tract symptoms, including vaginal itching, pelvic pain, genital ulcer, vaginal discharge, urethral discharge, and dysurea. Over 40 percent of the subjects reported that they had not done anything to treat the symptoms or prevent transmission. Only about 17 percent of men and 4 percent of women notified their partners of their symptoms. Approximately 75 percent of those who sought treatment did so at government health care centers or private clinics, with the rest choosing self treatment or traditional healers. Over 50 percent reported sexual intercourse, with just 4.5 percent of men and 0.5 percent of women reporting condom use while showing symptoms. The study shows "that relying on treatment of only those with symptoms would reach only a small proportion of the infected population and that many would be unlikely to receive effective care," the authors concluded.

981218
AD982383

Copyright © 1998 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1998. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1998. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.