Abstract
The objective was to determine the magnitude of HIV as well as the associations between HIV seropositivity with reproductive tract infections (RTIs) among healthy women in Harare, Zimbabwe. In a cross-sectional study, 393 informed consenting women aged 15-49 years, attending 2 primary healthcare clinics, were interviewed and screened for HIV and RTIs. HIV seroprevalence was 29.3%. Seropositivity was significantly associated with bacterial vaginosis, syphilis, gonorrhoea and/or Chlamydia trachomatis infection, warts and genital ulcers. Risk factors for HIV were absence of lactobacilli in vaginal fluid, vaginal pH >4.5, age >20 years, being unmarried, having had more than one lifetime sexual partner, having used a condom at least once in their lifetime, having experienced an infant mortality, and a partner who was non-monogamous or a frequent traveller. In view of the very high seroprevalence and concomitant RTIs in this population, we recommend promotion of women-controlled prevention methods along with proactive detection and treatment of RTIs.