Document 2460
 DOCN  M94A2460
 TI    Traditional sexual practices among women at a sexually transmitted
       diseases (STD) clinic in Zambia.
 DT    9412
 AU    Sandala L; Sunkutu MR; Lurie P; Chani EM; Hearst N; University Teaching
       Hospital-Dermato-Venereology Department,; Lusaka, Zambia.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):299 (abstract no. PC0124). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370115
 AB    OBJECTIVE: To describe the types of traditional sexual practices,
       including dry sex, among women attending an STD clinic at the major
       hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. METHODS: 334 women between 15 and 50 years
       of age presenting for initial evaluation of STD symptoms were
       interviewed by a nurse and examined by a clinician. RESULTS: 157 women
       (47%) engaged in some traditional sexual practice; 70 engaged in more
       than one practice. The most common practice was manual removal of
       vaginal secretions (74 women). Less common were drinking porridge before
       intercourse (to dry vaginal secretions) and placing leaves, herbs,
       stones and chemicals in the vagina. The most common reasons given for
       these practices were increasing the woman's own sexual enjoyment and
       increasing sexual enjoyment for her partner. tightening the vagina and
       treatment or prevention of STDs were less commonly cited. Swelling or
       peeling of the vaginal mucosa was reported by 10% of women engaging in
       these practices. The practices were most commonly learned from family
       members, husbands, and friends. The majority of women reported that it
       was their own choice to engage in these practices with their regular
       sexual partners. 126 subjects reported some condom use. 73/313 subjects
       (23%) tested positive for syphilis by rapid plasma reagin (RPR) and
       187/321 (58%) were HIV-positive by ELISA. CONCLUSIONS: Traditional
       sexual practices are common among STD patients in Zambia. Further
       analyses will examine the relationship between these practices and HIV
       infection.
 DE    Adolescence  Adult  Cultural Characteristics  Female  Human  Middle Age
       *Sex Behavior  *Sexually Transmitted Diseases  Zambia  MEETING ABSTRACT

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