HIV seroprevalence and its associations with the other reproductive tract infections in asymptomatic women in Harare, Zimbabwe

The objective was to determine the magnitude of HIV as well as the associat ions between HIV seropositivity with reproductive tract infections (RTIs) a mong healthy women in Harare, Zimbabwe. In a cross-sectional study, 393 inf ormed consenting women aged 15-49 years, attending 2 primary healthcare cli nics, were interviewed and screened for HIV and RTIs. HIV seroprevalence wa s 29.3%. Seropositivity was significantly associated with bacterial vaginos is, syphilis, gonorrhoea and/or Chlamydia trachomatis infection, warts and genital ulcers. Risk factors for HIV were absence of lactobacilli in vagina l fluid, vaginal pH >4.5, age > 20 years, being unmarried, having had more than one lifetime sexual partner, having used a condom at least once in the ir lifetime, having experienced an infant mortality, and a partner who was non-monogamous or a frequent traveller. In view of the very high seropreval ence and concomitant RTIs in this population, we recommend promotion of wom en-controlled prevention methods along with proactive detection and treatme nt of RTIs.