Seroprevalence of four sexually transmitted diseases in a semi-urban population of Gabon.

Using the cluster-sampling method, the authors estimated the seroprevalence of 4 sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among the sexually active general population in a city of 30,000 inhabitants in the east of Gabon. The seroprevalences were 2% for HIV-1, 13.8% for hepatitis B, 8.6% for Treponema pallidum and 59.6% for Chlamydia trachomatis. The seroprevalences of hepatitis B and chlamydia were stable over time and similar to those registered in other countries of central Africa. On the other hand, the seroprevalence of T. pallidum is notably low in comparison with these countries and seems to be decreasing. The seroprevalence of HIV-1 is also low but has doubled in 8 years in the city. Immigrant women from west Africa were a high-risk group for STDs but more generally, cohabiting was a risk factor for women.