Prevalence and Assessment of Clinical Management of Sexually Transmitted Infections among Female Sex Workers in Two Cities of India

• Published in: Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology 2011, Vol.2011 (2011), p.132-139
• Main Authors: Das, A., Prabhakar, P., Narayanan, P., Neilsen, G., Wi, T., Kumta, S., Rao, G., Gangakhedkar, R., Risbud, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; AIDS; Care and treatment; Chlamydia Infections - diagnosis; Chlamydia Infections - drug therapy; Chlamydia Infections - epidemiology; Decision Trees; Demographic aspects; Female; Gonorrhea - diagnosis; Gonorrhea - drug therapy; Gonorrhea - epidemiology; Health aspects; HIV; HIV infection; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Prevalence; Prevention; Prostitutes; Public health; Risk factors; Risk-Taking; Sex Work - statistics & numerical data; Sexual behavior; Sexually transmitted diseases; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - diagnosis; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - drug therapy; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - epidemiology; Sexually Transmitted Diseases - microbiology; Statistics; STD; Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Syphilis - diagnosis; Syphilis - drug therapy; Syphilis - epidemiology; Trichomonas Infections - drug therapy; Trichomonas Infections - epidemiology
• ISSN: 1064-7449; 1098-0997
• DOI: 10.1155/2011/494769

Objective. Control of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among female sex workers (FSWs) is an important strategy to reduce HIV transmission. A study was conducted to determine the prevalence and assess the current clinical management of STIs in India. Methods. FSWs attending three clinics for regular checkups or symptoms were screened for study eligibility. A behavioral questionnaire was administered, clinical examination performed, and laboratory samples collected. Results. 417 study participants reported a mean number of 4.9 (SD 3.5) commercial clients in the last week. 14.6% reported anal sex in the last three months. Consistent condom use with commercial and regular partners was 70.1% and 17.5%, respectively. The prevalence of gonorrhea was 14.1%, chlamydia 16.1%, and trichomoniasis 31.1% with a third of all infections being asymptomatic. Syphilis seropositivity was 10.1%. Conclusions. At study sites, presumptive treatment for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis screening should continue. Presumptive treatment for trichomoniasis should be considered. Consistent condom use and partner treatment need to be reemphasized.