Syphilis and HIV infection among prisoners in Maputo, Mozambique

• Published in: International journal of STD & AIDS Vol. 6; no. 1; p. 42
• Main Authors: Vaz, R G, Gloyd, S, Folgosa, E, Kreiss, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.01.1995
• Subjects: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - epidemiology; Adolescent; Adult; Africa - epidemiology; Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Prisoners; Risk Factors; Sexual Behavior; Syphilis - epidemiology; Africa; Measurement; Eastern Africa; Prevalence; Condom; Needs; Viral Diseases; Biology; Infections; Urban Population; Research Methodology; Prisoners > men; Mozambique; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Population Characteristics; Reproductive Tract Infections; Syphilis; Contraceptive Methods; Homosexuals; Population; Research Report; Behavior; Demographic Factors; Male Circumcision; Prisoners > women; Bisexuals; Risk Factors; Africa; Contraception; Barrier Methods; Hiv Infections; Family Planning; Diseases; Portuguese Speaking Africa; Heterosexuals; Economic Factors; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Risk Behavior; Developing Countries; Africa South Of The Sahara; Sex Behavior; Prostitutes
• ISSN: 0956-4624
• DOI: 10.1177/095646249500600109

A cross-sectional study was carried out among 1284 male and 54 female prisoners to assess the prevalence of and risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in 4 correctional institutions of Maputo, Mozambique. Among the men, 32% reported a history of prostitute contact and 41% reported a history of STD. Only 9% reported having ever used condoms. Seventy (5.5%) men reported having had sexual intercourse while in prison, in all but one instance this involved sex with another man. There was no reported intravenous drug use. One hundred and four (7.8%) inmates had positive serological tests for syphilis and 8 (0.6%) had antibodies to HIV. Among men, syphilis was associated with a history of genital ulcer [odds ratio (OR) = 3.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.4, 6.4] and uncircumcised status (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.0, 2.5). This study demonstrates that syphilis is common among inmates in Maputo and that risk behaviours for STD transmission exist within Maputo prisons. There is a need for STD screening and treatment programmes within prisons in Mozambique and the introduction of educational interventions, including condom promotion.