Prevalence of gonorrhoea and knowledge of sexually transmitted infections in a farming community in Zimbabwe

• Published in: Central African journal of medicine Vol. 43; no. 7; p. 192
• Main Authors: Gomo, E, Ndamba, J, Nhandara, C, Murahwa, S Z, Nyazema, N Z
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Zimbabwe 01.07.1997
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Agriculture; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Gonorrhea - epidemiology; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Rural Health; Sex Distribution; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - epidemiology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Zimbabwe - epidemiology; Zimbabwe; Measurement; Cross Sectional Analysis; Eastern Africa; Prevalence; Age Factors; Viral Diseases; Infections; Research Methodology; English Speaking Africa; Knowledge; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Population Characteristics; Reproductive Tract Infections; Population; Research Report; Demographic Factors; Africa; Gonorrhea; Hiv Infections; Diseases; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Sex Factors; Zimbabwe; Developing Countries; Africa South Of The Sahara
• ISSN: 0008-9176

To determine the prevalence of gonorrhoea and knowledge about sexually transmitted infections in a farming community. Cross sectional study. Commercial farming area, Zimbabwe. 1,005 individuals aged between 15 and 60 years. Prevalence rates, knowledge of gonorrhoea and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by age and sex. Knowledge of gonorrhoea and other STIs was higher while knowledge of AIDS was lower among males than females. Frequency of past history of STIs in five years was significantly higher among males than females (OR 3.22; 95% CI 2.45 to 4.25). Physical examination revealed that 14% of males and 22% of females had other STIs besides gonorrhoea. The prevalence of gonorrhea was 18.4% (95% CI 16.0 to 20.8) and was higher among females than males (OR 2.77; 95% CI 1.97 to 3.90). Thirty one percent of the gonorrhoea infections were due to penicillinase producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Our findings emphasize the disparity between knowledge and practices with regards to STIs, and the importance of STIs as potential targets for and indices in the fight against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.