Symptoms and findings related to HIV in women in rural Gutu District, Zimbabwe, 1992 to 1993

The Central African Journal of Medicine
C NilsesG Lindmark

Abstract

To relate self-reported morbidity and clinical findings to HIV-status in rural women in Zimbabwe. A cross sectional study. 12 randomly selected villages in rural Gutu District, Zimbabwe. In 1992 to 1993 all women of fertile age (15 to 44 years) in the selected villages were interviewed and examined (n = 1,213). Retrospectively, HIV status was assessed anonymously from frozen blood samples. Self-reported morbidity, body mass index (BMI), arm circumference, palpable lymphnodes, prevalence of syphilis, haemoglobin, HIV status. Overall HIV prevalence was 22%. Mean haemoglobin (Hb) was significantly lower (p < 0.005) and anaemia was significantly more common (p < 0.001) among HIV positive women. Syphilis prevalence was 2.2%, a positive syphilis test increased the risk of being HIV positive three-fold. Persistent cough was significantly more common in HIV positives (OR = 3.0, 95% CI 1.4-6.2). Palpable lymphnodes was the most common clinical finding and generalised lymph adenopathy had a positive predictive value of 67% for HIV. Self-reported morbidity was low and no increased pregnancy loss was reported related to HIV. The low morbidity found in 1992 to 1993, in spite of the high prevalence, indicates a fairly short duration of the H...Continue Reading

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