Socio-demographic and behavioural factors associated with high incidence of sexually transmitted infections in female sex workers in Madagascar following presumptive therapy.

Background: Too little is known about the many women who generate income in Madagascar by trading sex.

Methods: Clinical and laboratory exams were offered to 493 non-care seeking female sex workers (SWs) in Antananarivo and 493 in Tamatave. SWs were recruited by peers in their community; they were interviewed, counselled and treated for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at recruitment and re-evaluated 2 months later.

Vaginal discharge.

Preview A variety of genital pathogens, many of which are sexually transmitted, cause infections of the vagina and cervix. Discharge is often a prominent and telling symptom. Which infectious agents should be suspected when the discharge is accompanied by itching? Vulvar pain? Odor? Which laboratory tests are most helpful in making a diagnosis? The authors answer these and other questions in this overview of genital infections in women.