Human immunodeficiency virus and other sexually transmitted diseases in Cuban women

A cross-sectional study was performed in 60 Cuban women of child-bearing age who were sero-positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and 60 controls. Human papillomavirus (HPV) was identified most frequently, with oncogenic HPV serotypes 16, 33 and 58 detected in HIV-positive patients, and serotypes 11, 33 and 51 in the controls (relative risk 4.41; 95% CI 2.21- 8.29). Syphilis and hepatitis B and C viruses were detected exclusively in HIV-sero-positive women (p < 0.05). Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) appeared to pose a substantial health problem, especially for HIV-positive women. Clinics should consider screening and treatment for STDs as part of their HIV prevention programmes.