Ethiopia: Risk factors associated with failure of syndromic treatment of STDs

Researchers investigate risk factors associated with the failure of syndromic management of STDs among women seeking treatment in primary healthcare center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Of the 106 women enrolled and presenting with symptomatic STDs, 67% were HIV seropositive. Syndromic STD treatment did not result in clinical improvement in 30% of the women. Only genital ulcer disease was significantly associated with treatment failure. The association between HIV and genital ulcer disease caused by herpes may, therefore, be the reason for the failure of treatment.