Acceptability and technical problems of the female condom amongst commercial sex workers in a rural district of Malawi.

A study was conducted among commercial sex workers (CSWs) in rural southern Malawi, in order to (a) assess the acceptability of the female condom and (b) identify common technical problems and discomforts associated with its use. There were 88 CSWs who were entered into the study with a total of 272 female condom utilizations. Eighty-six (98%) were satisfied with the female condom, 80% preferred it to the male condom and 92% were ready to use the device routinely.

Sexually transmitted infections and sexual behaviour among commercial sex workers in a rural district of Malawi.

In Thyolo District, Malawi, a study was conducted among commercial sex workers (CSWs) attending mobile clinics in order to; determine the prevalence and pattern of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), describe sexual behaviour among those who have an STI and identify risk factors associated with 'no condom use'. There were 1817 CSWs, of whom 448 (25%) had an STI. Of these, the commonest infections included 237 (53%) cases of abnormal vaginal discharge, 109 (24%) cases of pelvic inflammatory disease and 95 (21%) cases of genital ulcer disease (GUD).

Sexually transmitted infections among prison inmates in a rural district of Malawi.

As part of a comprehensive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention strategy targeting high-risk groups, sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics are offered to all prisoners in Thyolo district, southern Malawi. Prison inmates are not, however, allowed access to condoms as it is felt that such an intervention might encourage homosexuality which is illegal in Malawi. A study was conducted between January 2000 and December 2001 in order to determine the prevalence, incidence, and patterns of STIs among male inmates of 2 prisons in this rural district.

Behavioural characteristics, prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and antibiotic susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in men with urethral discharge in Thyolo, Malawi.

A study was carried out in a rural district of Malawi among men presenting with urethral discharge, in order to a) describe their health seeking and sexual behaviour b) determine the prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N.gonorrhoeae) and Chlamydia trachomatis (C.trachomatis), and c) verify the antibiotic susceptibility of N.

Health seeking and sexual behaviour among patients with sexually transmitted infections - the importance of traditional healers.

We aimed to describe health seeking and sexual behaviour including condom use among patients presenting with sexually transmitted infections (STI) and, to identify socio-demographic and behavioural risk factors associated with "no condom use" during the symptomatic period. A cross-sectional study of consecutive new STI cases presenting at the district STI clinic in Thyolo were interviewed by STI counsellors after obtaining informed consent. All patients were treated according to National guidelines.