Genital ulcers are among the seven syndromes of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) identified in Côte d'Ivoire. Ulcerative STIs present a public health problem because of their frequency and their role in the spread of HIV. Our objective was to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of genital ulcers observed in the STI center of the National Institute of Public Hygiene in Abidjan. This cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study examined cases seen at the center in 2008 through 2010. We retrospectively reviewed all files of clients aged 10 and older who sought care for the first time at the STI center and received a clinical diagnosis, confirmed by the laboratory, of a STI. Overall, we selected 2488 records. Men accounted for 52.30%. The patients' average age was 32 years. The prevalence of genital ulcers was 3.90%. Genital herpes was the diagnosed mentioned most often by doctors (71.43%), followed by scabies (19.39%) and chancroids (9.18%). Male sex and multiple sexual partners appeared to be risk factors for genital ulcers at this center. Genital ulcers are infrequent. Public awareness campaigns to encourage changes in behavior must continue and intensify. In particular, they must stress control of genital herpes by well-known prevention methods: regular and correct condom use and fewer sexual partners.
Keywords: Abidjan; Côte d’Ivoire; STI; genital ulcers; venereal disease center.