Epidemiological Patterns of Genital Ulcer Disease and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Among Public Clinic Attendees in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Thembisa R Tshaka, Lindiwe M Faye, Teke R Apalata, Zizipho Z A Mbulawa

Abstract read

In one paragraph

Article in Diseases (Basel, Switzerland), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Thembisa R TshakaDepartment of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5100, South Africa.ORCID 0000-0001-8707-3090

Lindiwe M FayeDepartment of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5100, South Africa.ORCID 0000-0002-7308-4239

Teke R ApalataDepartment of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5100, South Africa.ORCID 0000-0002-1329-3864

Zizipho Z A MbulawaDepartment of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5100, South Africa.ORCID 0000-0001-9073-4777

Funding

Walter Sisulu University's University Capacity Development Grant Research Fund (TRT), No grant number

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common globally, posing significant public health challenges and financial strain, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) accounts for 40% of global STI prevalence, with South Africa having the highest rates of curable STIs and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), both of which are closely linked to increasing HIV transmission risk and other STIs. Genital ulcer disease (GUD), primarily caused by HSV-1, HSV-2, and

methodsThis study analyzed GUD and co-infection with HIV, testing patterns, and co-occurrence trends among public clinic attendees in Mthatha, South Africa, to identify demographic, behavioral, and occupational disparities.

resultsSex-specific analysis revealed higher HIV prevalence among female attendees (47.00%) compared to male attendees (22.00%), alongside notable testing gaps and disparities in diseases such as syphilis, genital herpes, and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV). Age-specific trends indicated the highest HIV prevalence in individuals aged 30-49, with peaks at 66.67% (30-39) and 76.47% (40-49).

conclusionThese findings emphasize the need for targeted public health interventions addressing sex, age, and occupational disparities while improving diagnostic coverage and prevention efforts for co-occurring infections.

Indexed as

age-specific trendsco-occurrence analysisdisease prevalenceGUDpublic health interventionssex disparitiestesting coverage

Identifiers

PMID41002729

DOI10.3390/diseases13090293

PMCPMC12469101

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LicenceCC BY

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