A cross-sectional survey was carried out with 485 healthy working adult Ethiopians who are participating in a cohort study on the progression of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection to establish hematological reference ranges for adult HIV-negative Ethiopians. In addition, enumeration of absolute numbers and percentages of leukocyte subsets was performed for 142 randomly selected HIV-negative individuals. Immunological results were compared to those of 1,356 healthy HIV-negative Dutch blood donor controls. Immunohematological mean values, medians, and 95th percentile reference ranges were established. Mean values were as follows: leukocyte (WBC) counts, 6.1 × 109/liter (both genders); erythrocyte counts, 5.1 × 1012/liter (males) and 4.5 × 1012/liter (females); hemoglobin, 16.1 (male) and 14.3 (female) g/dl; hematocrit, 48.3% (male) and 42.0% (female); platelets, 205 × 109/liter (both genders); monocytes, 343/μl; granulocytes, 3,057/μl; lymphocytes, 1,857/μl; CD4 T cells, 775/μl; CD8 T cells, 747/μl; CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio, 1.2; T cells, 1,555/μl; B cells, 191/μl; and NK cells, 250/μl. The major conclusions follow. (i) The WBC and platelet values of healthy HIV-negative Ethiopians are lower than the adopted reference values of Ethiopia. (ii) The absolute CD4 T-cell counts of healthy HIV-negative Ethiopians are considerably lower than those of the Dutch controls, while the opposite is true for the absolute CD8 T-cell counts. This results in a significantly reduced CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio for healthy Ethiopians, compared to the ratio for Dutch controls.

By 1994, a substantial proportion of the adult population of Addis Ababa was infected with HIV. Promotion of behavioural changes and the control of sexually transmitted diseases should be strongly supported to limit the spread of the HIV epidemic in Ethiopia.

Study participants reported high-risk sexual behaviours, yet had a low perception of individual risk. Men attended for PTC because of their knowledge of HIV infection, their past sexual history or their current health status. Women attended for PTC because of their plans for the future, marriage and/or children, rather than their past sexual exposure. Only in cases of rape were they willing to learn of their HIV status.

Background: The prevalence and incidence of syphilis infection were examined in a cohort study of factory workers in Ethiopia. Method: Between February 1997 and March 1999, 409 men and 348 women were enrolled and followed in the cohort study. Results: The prevalence (95% CI) of past/current syphilis (positive TPPA serology) was 28.9% (25.7% to 32.3%), and factors associated with past/current syphilis were markers of risky sexual behaviours including HIV infection. In this cohort of factory workers subject to public information/education meetings, testing for HIV antibodies, and individual counselling, the incidence (97.5% one sided CI) of new syphilis infections was 0/691 = 0 (0 to 0.5) per 100 person years. Conclusion: This study has documented a reduction in risky sexual behaviours and a low syphilis incidence among factory workers participating in a cohort study on HIV infection progression in Addis Ababa

No abstract