SYPHILIS AND HIV-INFECTION AMONG PRISONERS IN MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE

A cross-sectional study was carried out among 1284 male and 54 female prisoners to assess the prevalence of and risk factors for sexually tr ansmitted diseases (STD) in 4 correctional institutions of Maputo, Moz ambique. Among the men, 32% reported a history of prostitute contact a nd 41% reported a history of STD. Only 9% reported having ever used co ndoms. Seventy (5.5%) men reported having had sexual intercourse while in prison, in all but one instance this involved sex with another man . There was no reported intravenous drug use. One hundred and four (7. 8%) inmates had positive serological tests for syphilis and 8 (0.6%) h ad antibodies to HIV. Among men, syphilis was associated with a histor y of genital ulcer [odds ratio (OR)=3.1, 95% confidence interval (CI)= 1.4, 6.4] and uncircumcised status (OR=1.5, 95% CI=1.0, 2.5). This stu dy demonstrates that syphilis is common among inmates in Maputo and th at risk behaviours for STD transmission exist within Maputo prisons. T here is a need for STD screening and treatment programmes within priso ns in Mozambique and the introduction of educational interventions, in cluding condom promotion.