Unexpectedly high HIV prevalence among female sex workers in Bangkok, Thailand in a respondent-driven sampling survey

The pattern of sex work in Thailand has shifted substantially over the last two decades from direct commercial establishments to indirect venues and non-venue-based settings. This respondent-driven sampling survey was conducted in Bangkok in 2007 among female sex workers (FSW) in non-venue-based set...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of STD & AIDS 2013-01, Vol.24 (1), p.34-38
Main Authors: Manopaiboon, C, Prybylski, D, Subhachaturas, W, Tanpradech, S, Suksripanich, O, Siangphoe, U, Johnston, L G, Akarasewi, P, Anand, A, Fox, K K, Whitehead, S J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
AIDS/HIV
Chlamydia Infections - epidemiology
Condoms - utilization
Female
Gonorrhea - epidemiology
HIV Infections - epidemiology
Humans
Population Surveillance
Prevalence
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Risk-Taking
Sex Work - statistics & numerical data
Sex Workers
Sexual Behavior
Socioeconomic Factors
Thailand - epidemiology
Young Adult
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Summary:The pattern of sex work in Thailand has shifted substantially over the last two decades from direct commercial establishments to indirect venues and non-venue-based settings. This respondent-driven sampling survey was conducted in Bangkok in 2007 among female sex workers (FSW) in non-venue-based settings to pilot a new approach to surveillance among this hidden population. Fifteen initial participants recruited 707 consenting participants who completed a behavioural questionnaire, and provided oral fluid for HIV testing, and urine for sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing. Overall HIV prevalence was 20.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 16.3–24.7). Three-quarters of women were street-based (75.8%, 95% CI 69.9–81.1) who had an especially high HIV prevalence (22.7%, 95% CI 18.2–28.4); about 10 times higher than that found in routine sentinel surveillance among venue-based FSW (2.5%). STI prevalence (Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae) was 8.7% (95% CI 6.4–10.8) and 1.0% (95% CI 0.2–1.9), respectively. Lower price per sex act and a current STI infection were independently associated with HIV infection (P < 0.05). High HIV prevalence found among FSW participating in the survey, particularly non-venue-based FSW, identifies need for further prevention efforts. In addition, it identifies a higher-risk segment of FSW not reached through routine sentinel surveillance but accessible through this survey method.
ISSN:0956-4624
1758-1052
DOI:10.1177/0956462412472300