STI/HIV co-infections in UCH, Ibadan, Nigeria

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are poorly recognised and inadequately treated in Nigeria in spite of the fact that it constitutes a major risk for HIV transmission. This study was carried out to ascertain STI/HIV co-infection rate and to obtain relevant socio-demographic and reproductive health data associated with STIs. This information is urgently needed for designing STI/HIV control strategies. All consenting patients with history suggestive of STI, who attended STI clinic at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, between March and November 2001 were enrolled in the study. Of the 210 patients seen, 98 (46.7%) were males while 112 (53.3%) were females (p > 0.05). One hundred and fifty six (74.3%) of them were aged 20-39 years while only 10 (5.1%) were adolescents. Twenty (9.5%) had laboratory diagnosis of STIs, out of which 6 (30%) were also HIV positive. Among those with STIs, 8 (40%) had gonorrhoea, 8 (40%) had candidiasis, while 4 (25%) were positive for Trichomonas vaginalis. None of the patients' sera was positive for Treponema palladium antibody HIV prevalence rate in the study was 21.9%. Highest rate was found in patients aged 20-29 years while no adolescent and no one over 50 years old was HIV positive. Five (62.5%) of the patients with gonorrhoea were also HIV positive, a lower percentage (25%) of those with trichomoniasis were positive for HIV, while none of those infected with candidiasis was HIV positive. STI/HIV co-infection rate was 30%. This study reveals a high STI/HIV co-infection rate, indicating that there is a need for proper management of STIs as a way of reducing the spread of HIV infection in Nigeria.