Prevalence of vaginitis, syphilis and HIV infection in women in the Orange Free State
Cronje, H.S.; Joubert, G.; Muir, A.; Chapman, R.D.; Divall, P.; Bam, R.H.
South African Medical Journal 84(9): 602-605
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0256-9574 PMID: 7839281 Document Number: 288729
Objective: To determine the prevalence of vaginitis, syphilis and HIV infection in women in the Orange Free State. Method: By cluster sampling, 120 rural (farm) and 120 urban (local authority) clusters, each containing 4 women, were selected. Women aged 18-49 years who were included in the study had a cervical smear taken for cytological evaluation and blood specimens drawn for syphilis and HIV testing; they were questioned on their knowledge of AIDS. Results: Trichomonas vaginalis vaginitis was present in 27.4% of the rural women and 29.6% of the urban women, Gardnerella vaginalis in 7.2% and 8.4% and Candida spp. in 2.6% and 6.7% respectively. Syphilis serology was positive in 12% of rural and 16% of urban women. HIV was present in 0.4% of rural and 1.5% of urban women. Ninety per cent of urban women and 74% of rural women know AIDS was a sexually transmitted disease. Conclusions: The prevalences of trichomonas vaginitis and syphilis were usually high, while HIV positivity was similar to that in other reports in South Africa.