Sexually Transmitted Diseases Among Female Prisoners in Brazil

Miranda, Angélica Espinosa; Vargas, Paulo M.; Louis, Michael E. St.; Viana, María Carmen

doi:10.1097/00007435-200010000-00001

Cited by 48 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 18 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…However, risk factors depend on the setting and may considerably vary, for instance, between urban and rural settings of the same country [8]. Whereas in Brazil several studies have attempted to identify risk factors for STIs in women living in an urban environment or in high-risk groups (such as female prisoners, patients attending STI clinics and commercial sex workers), reliable data are scarce for women living in rural settings [9][10][11][12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk factors for sexually transmitted infections in women in rural Northeast Brazil

Oliveira

Lang

Ehrig

et al. 2008

J Infect Dev Ctries

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are highly prevalent in northeast Brazil, but factors associated with the presence of an STI have rarely been studied systematically. Methodology: We performed a population-based study to assess factors associated with STIs in women of reproductive age (12 to 49 years) in a rural setting in northeast Brazil. A total of 734 women were eligible; 592 (80.7%) had initiated sexual life and were included. Women were examined for the presence of an STI. Socio-economic variables, sexual history, and behaviour were assessed through a structured questionnaire. Laboratory testing included: polymerase chain reaction for human papillomavirus (HPV); ligase chain reaction for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae; VDRL and FTA-ABS for Treponema pallidum; analysis of wet mounts, gram stain and Pap smears for Trichomonas vaginalis; and ELISA for HIV. Results: At least one STI was present in 112 (19.6%) of the women. In logistic regression analysis, a previous visit to a Pap smear clinic was protective against an STI (OR=0.26; IC 95%: 0.12-0.57). The following variables were independently associated with STIs: ≥3 partners in life (2.35; 1.32-4.17); first pregnancy <16 years of age (2.28; 1.09-4.78); not knowing if partner had another partner (3.56; 1.09-11.62). Conclusions: The protective and risk factors identified can guide the implementation of gender-and age-specific control programs in rural northeast Brazil. Offering a simple preventive measure (Pap smear collection), usually done by a nurse in this setting, may be a useful opportunity for diagnosis and treatment of curable STIs, without considerable additional costs.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk factors for sexually transmitted infections in women in rural Northeast Brazil

Oliveira

Lang

Ehrig

et al. 2008

J Infect Dev Ctries

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Syphilis and HIV in pregnant women, AIDS, and congenital syphilis are notifiable infections, but the epidemiologic situation of other RTI is rather enigmatic. Studies have addressed the issue of STI in certain specific groups, such as patients attending STI clinics, gynaecology and obstetric outpatient departments, female prisoners or commercial sex workers (Miranda et al 2000, Benzaken et al 2002, Codes et al 2002, Cook et al 2004. However, these studies do not allow to conclude on the burden of disease on the community level.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexually transmitted infections, bacterial vaginosis, and candidiasis in women of reproductive age in rural Northeast Brazil: a population-based study

Oliveira

Pfleger²,

Lang³

et al. 2007

Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Population-based data on sexually transmitted infections (STI), bacterial vaginosis (BV), Laboratory testing included polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for human papillomavirus (HPV), ligase chain reaction (LCR) for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, ELISA for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) and fluorescent treponema antibody absorption test (FTA-ABS) for syphilis, and analysis of wet mounts, gram stains and Pap smears for trichomoniasis, candidiasis, and BV. Only women who had initiated sexual life were included in the analysis (n = 592). The prevalences of STI were , chlamydia 4. 5% (3.0-6.6), trichomoniasis 4.1% (2.7-6.1), gonorrhoea 1. 2% (0.5-2.6), syphilis 0. 2% (0.0-1.1), and HIV 0%. The prevalence of ) and 12. 5% (10.0-15.5 ), respectively. The most common gynaecological complaint was lower abdominal pain. STI are common in women in rural Brazil and represent an important health threat in view of the HIV pandemic.Key words: sexually transmitted infections -reproductive tract infections -prevalence -epidemiology -Brazil Sexually transmitted infections (STI) are a major cause of morbidity throughout the world, particularly in developing countries (Gerbase et al. 1998). In women, STI are often chronic and present with little or no symptoms, but eventually may lead to severe sequels, such as chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility (WHO 2000). The impact of STI on the health of women tends to be more severe in resourcepoor settings where diagnostic and treatment facilities are inappropriate. Here, women often are not aware of STI as health problems, and health care seeking behaviour is poor (Giffin & Lowndes 1999). Relatively high prevalences of STI have been documented in such settings e.g. from Brazil, Papua New Guinea, and The Gambia (Walraven et al. 2001, Mgone et al. 2002, Soares et al. 2003. STI, as well as bacterial vaginosis (BV), are considered to increase the risk of acquiring human immunodefiency virus (HIV) (Sewankambo et al. 1997, Rottingen et al. 2001.In Brazil, the HIV epidemic is characterized by changing dynamics, currently reaching new population groups, namely women, underprivileged individuals, and communities outside the great urban centres (Fonseca et al. 2000, Brazilian Ministry of Health 2006. Reliable epidemiological data from Brazilian women on STI and other reproductive tract infections (RTI), such as BV and candidiasis, are scanty. Syphilis and HIV in pregnant women, AIDS, and congenital syphilis are notifiable infections, but the epidemiologic situation of other RTI is rather enigmatic. Studies have addressed the issue of STI in certain specific groups, such as patients attending STI clinics, gynaecology and obstetric outpatient departments, female prisoners or commercial sex workers (Miranda et al. 2000, Benzaken et al. 2002, Codes et al. 2002, Cook et al. 2004. However, these studies do not allow to conclude on the burden of disease on the community level.To increase further the knowledge...

show abstract

“…Overcrowding in prisons remains a concern in both developed and developing countries, and is a key causative factor for a myriad of other problems which ultimately turn these custodial settings into breeding grounds for infectious diseases such as AIDS, hepatitis, gonorrhoea, syphilis and tuberculosis. Compared to the general population, prisoners worldwide continue to demonstrate a significantly higher prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections (Weinbaum et al, 2005;Goyer, 2003;Allwright et al, 2000;Miranda et al, 2000;Singh et al, 1999). This phenomenon has been attributed to factors such as high-risk sexual behaviour before and during incarceration, intravenous drug use with sharing of syringes and drug paraphernalia, as well as tattooing among inmates (Allwright et al, 2000;Miranda et al, 2000;Butler et al, 1997).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis virus infection in correctional institutions in Africa: is this the neglected source of an epidemic?

Senok

Botta

2006

Journal of Medical Microbiology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Sexually Transmitted Diseases Among Female Prisoners in Brazil

Abstract: The prevalence of STDs and of behaviors leading to ongoing transmission are high among female inmates in Vitória, Brazil, and demonstrate the potential importance of prevention activities targeting this population.

Cited by 48 publications

References 18 publications

Risk factors for sexually transmitted infections in women in rural Northeast Brazil

Risk factors for sexually transmitted infections in women in rural Northeast Brazil

Sexually transmitted infections, bacterial vaginosis, and candidiasis in women of reproductive age in rural Northeast Brazil: a population-based study

Human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis virus infection in correctional institutions in Africa: is this the neglected source of an epidemic?

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About