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Economic hardship and sexually transmitted diseases in Haiti's rural Artibonite Valley. / D.W. Fitzgerald in American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 62(2002)4 ([04/01/2000])  

[article] Economic hardship and sexually transmitted diseases in Haiti's rural Artibonite Valley. [printed text] / D.W. Fitzgerald, Author ; F. Behets, Author ; Angela M. Caliendo, Author ; Dominique Roberfroid , Author ; C. Lucet, Author ; J.W. Fitzgerald, Author ; L. Kuykens, Author . - 2000 . - 496-501. Languages : English (eng) in American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene > 62(2002)4 [04/01/2000] . - 496-501 Descriptors: Classification W 1 Serials. Periodicals Indexation Adult ; Age Factors ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Haiti ; HIV Infections ; Humans ; Journal Article ; Male ; Peer Review ; Poverty Areas ; Pregnancy ; Prevalence ; Questionnaires ; Risk Factors ; Rural Population ; Sexual Partners ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases ; Socioeconomic Factors ; statistics and numerical data [Subheading] ; United States Abstract: A study was conducted to determine the prevalence rate and risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Haiti's rural Artibonite Valley. Women attending antenatal services at Hospital Albert Schweitzer from October to December 1996 were tested for gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomonas, syphilis, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Of the 476 women tested, 121 (25.4%) had trichomonas, 11/475 (2.3%) had gonorrhea, 51/475 (10.7%) had chlamydia, 32/474 (6.8%) were seropositive for syphilis, 20/469 (4.3%) were seropositive for HIV, and 191 (40.1%) had at least one STD. Nearly 30% of the women reported having entered a sexual relationship out of economic necessity and had increased odds of HIV infection, Odds Ratio (OR) 6.3 (P < 0.001). We postulate that due to recent economic hardship in rural Haiti, women are entering into sexual relationships out of economic necessity and that this trend is contributing to the growing HIV epidemic. We recommend STD prevention and development programs that target young people and economically disadvantaged women. Link for e-copy: http://www.ajtmh.org/cgi/reprint/62/4/496 Format of e-copy: PDF [Open Access] (Embargo 1 years) Record link: https://kce.docressources.info/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=2066 [article]

Prevalence, burden, and control of syphilis in Haiti's rural Artibonite region / D.W. Fitzgerald in International journal of infectious diseases, 2(1998)4 ([01/01/1998])  

[article] Prevalence, burden, and control of syphilis in Haiti's rural Artibonite region [printed text] / D.W. Fitzgerald, Author ; F. Behets, Author ; C. Lucet, Author ; Dominique Roberfroid , Author . - 1998 . - 127-31. Languages : English (eng) in International journal of infectious diseases > 2(1998)4 [01/01/1998] . - 127-31 Descriptors: Classification W 1 Serials. Periodicals Indexation Cost of Illness ; Female ; Haiti ; Hospitals ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Journal Article ; Netherlands ; Peer Review ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious ; Program Evaluation ; Rural Population ; Syphilis ; Syphilis, Congenital ; United States Abstract: OBJECTIVES: A study was conducted to determine the prevalence and health consequences of syphilis and to evaluate existing control measures in a Haitian rural district of 200,000 people served by 12 community dispensaries and Hospital Albert Schweitzer. METHODS: Syphilis seroprevalence among consecutive women receiving antenatal services was assessed using rapid plasma reagin (RPR) screening and fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) confirmatory testing. Hospital and dispensary records were used to review genital ulcer disease and syphilis cases seen during 1995. RESULTS: Of 811 pregnant women attending prenatal clinics during a 3-month period in 1996, 46 (5.7%) were RPR reactive. Syphilis seroreactivity was confirmed in 45 (97.8%) of 46 samples by FTA-ABS. Of 649 women attending dispensaries in the valley 41 (6.3%) were syphilis seroreactive compared with 4 (2.5%) of 162 women attending dispensaries in the mountains (OR = 2.66; P = 0.056). In 1995, 620 cases of genital ulcer disease were seen at the community dispensaries. At the central hospital, 257 new diagnoses of syphilis were made in 1995, including 30 cases of primary and secondary syphilis, 168 cases of latent disease, 17 cases of recurrent infection, 9 cases of tertiary disease, and 33 cases of congenital syphilis. CONCLUSIONS: The 33 cases of congenital syphilis, a rate of 550 cases for 100,000 live births, clearly demonstrated a failure of local control measures. Decentralized prenatal screening for syphilis, same-day treatment of seroreactors, and strengthened partner treatment were initiated. Further studies to improve primary prevention of syphilis in rural populations have been started. Other strategies, including mass treatment of high-risk groups, should be investigated. Link for e-copy: http://tiny.cc/wxv5i Format of e-copy: VDIC IP recognition (ScienceDirect, 1996 to present) Record link: https://kce.docressources.info/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=2068 [article]