National Study of Reproductive Tract Infections Among High Risk Groups of Lahore and Karachi

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of reproductive tract infections (RTIs) among the Female Sex Workers (FSWs), Male Sex Workers (MSWs), Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) and truck drivers. Study Design: Cross-sectional. Place and Duration of Study: Lahore and Karachi, from March to August, 2004. Methodology: Four hundred FSWs, 400 MSWs, 200 eunuchs, 400 IDUs and 400 truck drivers were interviewed and examined. Biological testing included PCR and ELISA. Results: The mean prevalence of syphilis was 17.7% (95% CI: 15.1-20.3%). Genital gonorrhoea was found among 0.8-12.3% of subjects with mean of 4.5% (95% CI: 0.8-5.2%). Genital chlamydia was seen in 0.2-11% individuals with mean of 2.6% (95% CI: 2.1-3.1%). Trichomonas was present in 19.3% FSWs of Lahore and 5.52% FSWs of Karachi. Only 0.8% truckers in Lahore had trichomonas. In Lahore, 47.6% FSWs and in Karachi, 27.4% FSWs were positive for bacterial vaginosis. A vast majority of IDUs, 91.8% in Lahore and 87% in Karachi were hepatitis C positive. Conclusion: The prevalence of syphilis is very high among all high-risk groups; particularly so among eunuchs (60.2% in Karachi and 32.3% in Lahore). Such a high levels of RTIs indicate a serious threat for HIV epidemic because of socially transmitted infection.