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  • Title: [Sexually transmitted diseases, HIV infection and AIDS in Mudzi, Zimbabwe. A study of knowledge, attitudes and practice in a rural area in southern Africa].
    Author: Rygnestad T, Hana J, Myhre AK.
    Journal: Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen; 1994 Apr 10; 114(9):1045-9. PubMed ID: 8009514.
    Abstract:
    We describe a study conducted in a rural area of Zimbabwe. We examined all patients who attend for treatment of a presenting sexually transmitted disease for a period of one month in 1989 and 1992. In addition we studied the knowledge of, attitudes towards and practices as regards HIV-infection and AIDS in 1992. The annual rate of sexually transmitted diseases was not different in the two periods studied. Most of the females with symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases were married and had been infected by their husbands. Most males too were married, but had been infected by prostitutes. There was a reduction in the proportion of patients who were employed as teachers, policemen or in the army. The use of condoms seems to have increased. Males were generally better informed about HIV-infection and AIDS than females were. As much as 26% of the females and 40% of the males had a close friend/relative who had died from AIDS and 69% of the females and 81% of the males had found it necessary to change their sexual behaviour after hearing about AIDS. Most people knew the most important parts of transmission, and about condoms as a means of protection, but the rate of sexually transmitted diseases remains very high. New strategies are needed in the preventive work. Within the scope of a study conducted for a period of one month in 1989 and 1992, in 6 of 14 regions of Mudzi district in Zimbabwe, all patients were examined and interviewed who attended a clinic for treatment of a sexually transmitted disease (STD). In addition the knowledge, attitudes, and practices as regards HIV infection and AIDS were studied in 1992. In 1989 there were 7380 cases of STDs per 100,000 inhabitants, while in 1992 there were 7445/100,000. There were 540 patients in 1989 and 517 in 1992 with average of 28-32 years. The annual rate of sexually transmitted diseases was not different in the two periods studied. Most of the females with symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases were married and had been infected by their husbands. Most males were also married, but had been infected by prostitutes: 38% in 1989 and 28% in 1992. In 1992 a steady partner other than the wife infected 32% of men, increasing from 14% in 1989. Among women the major symptom was discharge, which increased from 43% in 1989 to 56% in 1992, while among men, genital sores were most frequent, increasing from 35% in 1989 to 45% in 1992. Condom use increased among women from 8% to 23% and among men from 31% to 48%. In all 211 persons (121 women and 90 men) were interviewed about knowledge. There was a reduction in the proportion of patients who were employed as teachers, policemen or in the army. Males were generally better informed about HIV-infection and AIDS than females were. As much as 26% of the females and 40% of the males had a close friend/relative who had died from AIDS and 69% of the females and 81% of the males had found it necessary to change their sexual behavior after hearing about AIDS. Most people knew the most important parts of transmission, and about condoms as a means of protection, but the rate of sexually transmitted diseases remains very high. New strategies are needed in prevention work.
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