Title: Sexually transmitted diseases as a gender issue: examples from Nigeria and Uganda.

POPLINE Document Number: 065580

Author(s):

Kisekka MN
Otesanya BN

Source citation:

[Unpublished] 1988 Aug. Paper presented at the Association of African Women for Research and Development Seminar and General Assembly Meeting, 8-14 August, 1988, Dakar, Senegal. 45 p.

Abstract:

In response to the high prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in tropical Africa and 11,000 AIDS cases reported in 42 African countries with 3 of these countries ranking in the top 10, the authors reviewed 961 medical records of patients with sexually transmitted diseases from a teaching hospital in Northern Nigeria and current scientific literature and employed a pilot assessment of AIDS in Uganda to investigate gender differences associated with STD. Interviews with 100 of these patients revealed that 82.8% were male and 17.2 were females. Gonorrhea is most prevalent among males while candida, trichomoniasis, herpes, and chancroid are most common among female patients. 64.1% of the males were unmarried and 56.3% of female subjects. The highest represented age group included 20-24 years. Religion, ethnic backgrounds, and occupation are also reviewed. The pilot study in Uganda consisted of qualitative data collected from 1984 to July 1988. Ranked 3rd globally, Uganda is threatened by AIDS with 85% of the 15-39 age group infected. Also included in this pilot assessment is the consideration of public perception and the impact on health delivery services. Gender issues in this study include sex patterns in attendance of STD clinics, pelvic inflammatory diseases, infertility, and sexual harassment. Case studies are also included. Overall findings indicate that STD is a sexual issue for women who are at high risk by virtue of their professions, the consequences of sexual behavior of men, and limited access to treatment facilities. Policies necessary to improve this crisis include routine diagnostic and screening services, promotion of condom use, screening of AIDS for high- risk pregnant women, and governmental educational measures such as brochures, posters, and training seminars for health care workers.

Keywords:

Sex Behavior
Population Characteristics
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
AIDS
Heterosexuals
Sex Factors
Uganda
Nigeria
Data Analysis
High Risk Women
Comparative Studies
Epidemiologic Methods
Behavior
Demographic Factors
Population
Reproductive Tract Infections
Infections
Diseases
HIV Infections
Viral Diseases
Developing Countries
Africa, Eastern
Africa, Sub Saharan
Africa
Africa, Western
Research Methodology
Reproduction
Studies