Review of STI and HIV epidemiological data from 1990 to 2001 in urban Burkina Faso: implications for STI and HIV control
Nagot, N.; Meda, N.; Ouangre, A.; Ouedraogo, A.; Yaro, S.; Sombie, I.; Defer, M.C.; Barennes, H.; Van de Perre, P.
Sexually Transmitted Infections 80(2): 124-129
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 1368-4973 PMID: 15054175 DOI: 10.1136/sti.2002.004150Document Number: 251028
Objectives: To better understand the sexually transmitted infection (STI)/HIV dynamics in an urban west African setting in order to adapt STI/HIV control efforts accordingly. Methods: Review of STI and HIV epidemiological studies performed over the past decade (1990-2001) in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. Trends in STI prevalence among commercial sex workers and the general population were assessed over time through studies that used the same recruitment and laboratory diagnostic procedures. Variations in aetiologies of vaginal discharge, urethral discharge and genital ulcers were also evaluated among patients consulting for genital infection complaints. Antenatal clinic-based surveys provided data to assess HIV trend among the general population. Results: We observed an important decrease in classical bacterial STIs such as Treponema pallidum, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis and Haemophilus ducreyi infections in all study groups. Trichomoniasis also decreased but to a lesser extent. HIV infection followed the same trend at the same time, with a significant decrease in the 15-19 year age group of pregnant women, suggesting a possible decrease of HIV incidence. Although no evidence of a causal relation can be drawn from this review, adoption of safer sex behaviour, introduction of the syndromic management (SM) approach, or higher antibiotic use may have contributed to these changes. Conclusions: Classical bacterial STIs decreased over the past decade in parallel with stabilization of HIV infection. Variations in syndrome aetiology and sexual behaviours should be monitored as part of STI surveillance in order to improve STI syndromic management algorithms and to adapt HIV/STI prevention efforts.