Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026
A Tuberculosis Molecular Bacterial Load Assay (TB-MBLA)
Published on: April 30, 2020
Microbicides development program, Tanzania-baseline characteristics of an occupational cohort and reattendance at 3
Andrew Vallely1, Stella Kasindi, Ian R Hambleton
1London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel St., London, United Kingdom. andrew.vallely@lshtm.ac.uk
Objectives:
To determine baseline characteristics of an occupational cohort of women in Mwanza City, Tanzania, and factors associated with reattendance at 3 months, in preparation for a microbicide trial.
Study Design:
One thousand five hundred seventy-three women aged 16-54 years working in food outlets and recreational facilities were enrolled, interviewed, and examined at community-based reproductive health clinics, provided specimens for HIV/STI and pregnancy testing, and attended 3 monthly clinical follow-up.
Results:
Baseline prevalence of HIV was 25.5%; pregnancy 9.7%; herpes simplex virus type-2 74.6%; active syphilis 10.2%, bacterial vaginosis 52.6%; gonorrhea 5.5%; chlamydia 5.9%; and trichomoniasis 12.3%. Reattendance at 3 months was 74.1% and was higher in older women, less mobile women, and in those who received an HIV-negative result at enrollment.
Conclusions:
Baseline characteristics of this occupational group suggest their suitability for microbicide trials. A screening round, locally appropriate informed consent procedures, and effective community tracing may help reduce losses to follow-up in such settings.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the progression...
01:25Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...