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  • Title: Prevalence and prediction of sexually transmitted diseases among sex workers in Cameroon.
    Author: Ryan KA, Zekeng L, Roddy RE, Weir SS.
    Journal: Int J STD AIDS; 1998 Jul; 9(7):403-7. PubMed ID: 9696196.
    Abstract:
    The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), describe the frequency of genitourinary symptoms and signs, and to assess the accuracy of clinical diagnoses of STD in a cohort of Cameroonian sex workers. Physical examinations were conducted on 1233 sex workers in Yaoundé and Douala, Cameroon. Symptoms experienced within the 14 days prior to examination were collected. Women were tested for gonorrhoea, chlamydia infection, and trichomoniasis. Doctors' clinical impressions were compared with laboratory tests. Prevalence of cervical infection and trichomoniasis was 20%. A high percentage of abnormal signs and symptoms was found in this cohort. Clinical diagnosis for cervicitis and trichomoniasis had low sensitivities (<50%) while specificity remained high (>65%). In conclusion STDs are common among sex workers in Cameroon. Clinical diagnosis was not an accurate predictor of infection at the individual level in this population at risk of STD. The prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and the frequency of genitourinary symptoms and signs were assessed in 1233 female prostitutes aged 18-45 years, of mean age 26, in Yaounde and Douala. Researchers recorded the physical signs and symptoms experienced by the study subjects within 14 days prior to the physical examination provided as part of the study. The women were tested for gonorrhea, chlamydia infection, and trichomoniasis, with doctors' clinical impressions compared to laboratory test findings. 20% had cervicitis; gonorrhea (11%), chlamydia (12%), or both (3%). 20% had a positive wet mount test for trichomoniasis; 10 subjects were diagnosed with gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis; 65.1% reported abnormal vaginal discharge; and 44.7% reported pelvic pain. Clinical diagnosis for cervicitis and trichomoniasis in this study had sensitivities of less than 50% and specificities of greater than 65%. STDs are therefore common among prostitutes in Cameroon and clinical diagnosis was not an accurate predictor of infection at the individual level.
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