A POPULATION-BASED STUDY OF SYPHILIS AND SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASESYNDROMES IN NORTH-WESTERN TANZANIA .1. PREVALENCE AND INCIDENCE

Objective-To determine the prevalence of syphilis and the prevalence a nd incidence of self-reported STD syndromes in the population of Mwanz a Region, North-Western Tanzania. Methods-A population-based random cl uster sample survey, stratified by rural, roadside or urban residence, of 4173 individuals aged 15-54 years was performed in 1990-91. The se roprevalence of syphilis (using TPHA and RPR) and the prevalence and i ncidence of self-reported genital ulcer syndrome (GUS) and genital dis charge syndrome (GDS) were determined. Results-Active syphilis was det ected in 9% of the adult population, while 15% had serological evidenc e of past or current infection. Seroprevalence was significantly lower in the rural than in the roadside and urban populations, but there wa s little difference between men and women. Amongst men, a history of G DS was reported by 28%, and a history of GUS by 14%, with point preval ences of 2.3% and 1.3% respectively. Annual incidences among men were 6.8% for GDS and 3.6% for GUS. Women reported these conditions less fr equently. There was little difference between the strata in the preval ence or incidence of reported STD syndromes. Conclusion-Sexually trans mitted diseases represent a major public health problem in both the ru ral and urban populations of Mwanza Region.