West Indian Med J. 1997 Sep;46(3):67-71. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
Two cross-sectional surveys were undertaken, from December 1982 to
August 1983 and from November 1990 to January 1991, to estimate the
prevalence rates of genital ulcer disease (GUD) in all patients
presenting with a new sexually transmitted disease STD) complaint to the
STD clinic at the Comprehensive Health Centre in Kingston, Jamaica.
Diagnosis of syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
was based on results of laboratory tests, but diagnosis of the other
STDs was based on clinical features. Data from these two surveys were
compared, and reported national annual incidence data for GUD reviewed.
In 1982/83 6.8% of 23,050 patients had GUD, men (9.3%) more often than
women (4.2%; p < 0.001). In 1990/91 the prevalence rate was 12.8%, with
increased rates for both men (18.2%) and women (6.8%; p < 0.001). In
patients with GUD, a clinical diagnosis of genital herpes was made, in
1982/83 and 1990/91, respectively, in 16.8% and 7.8% of the patients;
syphilis, in 12.9% and 18.8%; chancroid, in 12.4% and 13.3%; viral
warts, in 5.7% and 6.3%; lymphogranuloma venereum, in 4.1% and 3.9%; and
granuloma inguinale, in 3.6% and 2.3%. In men the rate for syphilis was
19% in 1990/91 and 8% in 1982/83 (p = 0.001); and for genital herpes it
was 7% in 1990/91 and 17% in 1982/83 (p = 0.025). These reversals were
attributed to intense media coverage of herpes in 1982/83. There was no
difference in prevalence rates between the two surveys for these
diseases in women, or for lymphogranuloma venereum, granuloma inguinale
and genital warts in men and women. A clinical diagnosis could not be
made in 44.4% of cases in 1982/83 (particularly in men), and in 47.6% of
cases in 1990/91. GUDs facilitate transmission and adversely affect the
prognosis of HIV. The increase in their prevalence has implications for
the evolution of the local HIV epidemic, and should be addressed
effectively by strengthening the STD/HIV control programme.
*Genital Diseases, Female/EPIDEMIOLOGY *Genital Diseases,
Male/EPIDEMIOLOGY *Sexually Transmitted Diseases/EPIDEMIOLOGY