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A case-control study of sexually transmitted diseases was
carried out in two health units in Gondar town, North-western
Ethiopia, between September 1987 and November 1987. A total
of 285 cases and 570 controls participated in the study.
The peak age range was 15 - 19 yea r s (43.9%) and 20-24 year s
(34.6%) for female and mal e case s r es pectively. In con trast
to reports from other parts o f Afrj~R, th e male-tofemale
ratio was 1.2:1 i n t his s t ud~· . Over 40 [: o f the
cases were found in Ke ft pgnn four in whi ch there are predominantly
soldiers and pros titu tes. Of 153 mal e cases,
only 26.2% were married. Ma rri ed women constituted 33.1%
of t he cases. While a further 33 . 3% wprA di.vorc ed womAn.
Soldiers, prostitutes and students (28.8 %, 19.7% and 13.3%
of the total cases respectively) were identified as high
risk groups. The commonest diagnosis was gonorrhea (56.5 X),
with further 21.8% of the mixed infections including gonorrhea.
Over 40% of the case s admitted to a previous history
of STD. A past history of four or more STD inf ection s occurred
in 10.9% of the total cases. Casual contact or
unknown contact as a source of infection accounted for 50%
of the infections rivaling prostitutes who accounted for
52.3% of the contacts. Of the total cases, 54.4% sought
a cure from druggists without seeing a health worker .
The practice of self-medication was high and did not appear
to differ greatly between educated and illiterate groups
(P>.lO) .
Age at first sexual intercourse of less than 20 y ears was
associated with a statistically significant increased risk of STD (OR mh = 3. 6 , P<.'OOl ) . H:l\' in:~ '10 s pOLl s e or living
away from marital partner nnel/o r ~ :ln I 11 y were :l~ s oc j ntc el with STD infection (1R f = 2 .3, pC. OO I '~;f d CR I ". 3 ,
/) premarital sex was found to jn~ r rR~e t.h p ri s k of acquiring
STD 4.8 times . Hot h the practice of multiple partner
within on week and o ne year ]l period were also associated
with an increased risk or ~~'1uir i nf': STD (OR f : 13, P<.OOI
tnt CHId OR
tnh
.. = 9.7 P<. 001, !tc. ~I_',,-c .tl\'c.eyl . This study has implications
for the control of sexually transmitted diseases
in general and AIDS in particular |
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