ISPUB.COM The Internet Journal of Epidemiology Volume 7 Number 2 1 of 7 Patterns Of Genital Ulcer Diseases Among Hiv/Aids Patients In Benue State, North Central Nigeria G Jombo, E Okwori, G Otor, E Odengle Citation G Jombo, E Okwori, G Otor, E Odengle. Patterns Of Genital Ulcer Diseases Among Hiv/Aids Patients In Benue State, North Central Nigeria. The Internet Journal of Epidemiology. 2008 Volume 7 Number 2. Abstract Aim To ascertain the pattern of genital ulcer diseases (GUDs) among HIV infected people of Benue state.Procedure The study was retrospectively carried out in Makurdi and Oturkpo. Data from HIV patients who presented with GUDs was compiled for a period of 10 years (June 1999- May 2009). Relevant information from patients records such as: age, sex, occupation, clinical information on GUDs, clinical and or laboratory diagnosis, treatment and treatment outcomes were extracted. Samples were collected, stored and processed using standard laboratory procedures. Data obtained was analysed using Epi Info 2002 statistical software.Results The incidence of HIV was found to be 72.38% (506 out of 699) among the GUDs patients. Among the HIV patients, Genital herpes and Chancroid were respectively recorded in 76.21% (221 out of 290) and 81.69% (165 out of 202) of the them, (P< 0.05). Other GUDs encountered in both HIV and non-HIV patients were respectively: Lymphogranuloma venereum (52.33% and 47.67%), Syphilis (51.67% and 48.33%), and Condylomata acuminate (56.42% and 43.58%) with no significant difference in rate of occurrence between the two groups (P> 0.05). Granuloma inguinale was only found in HIV patients.Conclusion While detection of genital herpes and chancroid should be considered a warning sign for probable HIV infection in the locality, more results oriented measures should be put in place in order to bring HIV infection, GUDs as well as other STDs under check. Also syndromic management should be intensified and among others adequate provision be made for these GUDs. INTRODUCTION The origin of sexually acquired genital ulcer diseases (GUDs) still appears deeply buried in antiquity 1 . This group of diseases have, more than ever before, continued to be of major public health importance 2 . The advent of HIV/AIDS over the past 25 years has further deepened the scope of the morbidity, mortality and various forms of clinical presentations GUDs 3-5 . HIV/AIDS, which has no doubt created a fertile ground for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) to thrive, and STDs, vice versa, presently poses a serious health threat to at least a billion people of the global community 6-8 . Studies have severally reported a high incidence of genital ulcers among HIV/AIDS patients as compared to the non AIDS group 9,10 . Findings from Spain 11 showed that herpes, syphilis and chancroid were the commonest genital ulcers encountered among AIDS patients, and they inturn increased the risk of contracting HIV/several fold. Similarly, in India 12 , genital ulcers such as herpes, syphilis, lymphogranuloma venereum, granuloma inguinale, and chancroid were the most encountered GUDs among HIV/AIDS patients. In Sao Paulo Brazil 13 , herpetic and auto immune ulcers were the most frequently encountered GUDs in 53 women presenting at a clinic with out definitive diagnosis, and non-STD disorders such as: Behcet’s syndrome, pemphigus, crohn’s disease, and erosive lichen planus were identified as significant predisposing factors to GUDs. And in Jamaica 14 a cross-sectional survey showed that genital herpes, granuloma inguinale, chancroid and viral warts were the commonest GUDs encountered in HIV/AIDS patients. Although the nature and patterns of GUDs among HIV/AIDS patients has been well documented in several parts of Africa 15-17 , little information is presently available from most parts of north central Nigeria which is regarded highly endemic for HIV infection 18 . Identification of the prevalent GUDs in HIV/AIDS patients in the locality would be an important guide towards choice of procurement and supply of relevant medications to the health centres in the region. This would in turn save institutional costs as well boost a more informative syndromic management of these