A study on HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B and C virus infections among female sex workers in the Republic of Congo

• Published in: Archives of public health = Archives belges de santé publique 2017-05, Vol.75 (1), p.21-21, Article 21
• Main Authors: Niama, Fabien Roch, Loukabou Bongolo, Nadia Claricelle, Mayengue, Pembe Issamou, Mboussou, Franck Fortuné, Kombo Bayonne, Edith Sophie, Kouckodila Nzingoula, Florian Michael, Dossou-Yovo, Louis Regis, Louzolo, Igor, Etoka-Beka, Mandingha Kosso, Lanzy, Achile, Yameogo, Irène, Louvouezo, Davy, Kobawila, Simon Charles, Puruhence, Marie-Francke, Parra, Henri Joseph
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; Age; AIDS; Data collection; Female Sex Workers; Females; HBV; HCV; Hepatitis; Hepatitis B; HIV; Human immunodeficiency virus; Infections; Population; Public health; Republic of Congo; Sex industry; Syphilis
• ISSN: 0778-7367; 2049-3258; 2049-3258
• DOI: 10.1186/s13690-017-0189-5

Female Sex Workers (FSWs) are considered to be at high risk for transmission of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and are defined as a priority of the national HIV/AIDS response in the Republic of Congo (RoC). However, no data are available regarding STIs in this group. This study aimed to determine the prevalences of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B and C among FSWs in five cities in the country. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2 2011 to May 15 2012. Participants were recruited in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, Dolisie, Nkayi and Pokola using a respondent-driven sampling method. A total of 805 FSWs were recruited with an average age of 28.31 ± 9.15 years. The overall prevalences of HIV, syphilis, HBV and HCV were 7.50%, 2.20%, 4.20% and 0.70%, respectively. The age groups 35-39 (20.51% [0%-36.93%],  = 0.0057) and greater than 40 years (16.67% [0%-34.93%],  = 0.016) were positively associated with behaviors at high risk of HIV infection. For syphilis, the most infected age group was the one greater than 40 years, at 6.25% ([1.06% -72.37%]  = 0.04). Pointe-Noire was the most infected city for syphilis and HBV, with 5.15% (  = 0.0061) and 4.22% (p˂0.001), respectively. No risk factors were associated with HCV infection. FSWs practicing in mobile prostitution sites had a significantly higher infection rate (2.1% [0%-11.09%]  = 0.04). This study shows that the prevalence of HIV and other STIs in FSWs is high. Therefore, a combination of individual and structural interventions could reduce the risk of an STI "reservoir" among this population.