Anogenital warts in patients attending the sexually transmitted diseases clinic in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

One hundred and forty-eight cases of anogenital warts comprising 98 males and 50 females were seen at the Special Treatment Clinic, University College Hospital, Ibadan between May 1977 and 1984. The ages of the patients ranged from 11 months to 49 years. Ten cases occurred in children under 9 years. The peak incidence was in the 20-24 years age group. Local applications with podophyllin was the most frequently recommended therapy as the first line of treatment and produced a cure rate of 38.8% in those treated for three weeks. Thirty-three percent of the patients treated with podophyllin showed marked improvement before they were lost to follow up. Cryotherapy gave a cure rate of 85% but was recommended only for 20 patients. The clinical implication of these findings as well as the limitations encountered in the management of anogenital warts in a developing country are discussed.