[The spread of human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV-1/HIV-2) and of hepatitis B and C in non-drug-addicted prostitutes. Extremadura].
BACKGROUND
The proportion of cases of AIDS in Extremadura, in which sexual transmission has existed, is comparatively lower than the national one. The possibilities of the infection introduction in the general population may increase the relative importance of this way of transmission in the future. Penetration of HIV is unknown in prostitutes living and working in the Autonomous Community of Extremadura, as a collective associated to virus sexual transmission and to other socio-cultural risk factors involved.


METHODS
Women exercising prostitution are established as "target" population; the existence of intravenous drug addiction in the last 5 years is the criterion for exclusion, the sample comes from 11 nodal populations of Extremadura, and is constituted by 95 persons, selected in their own working places and having previously obtained their informed consent. The city American bar, 37.9%, the prostitution house 32.6%, and the road American bar are the most frequent kinds of prostitution. Besides the socio-sanitary poll, infections by HIV-1, HIV-2, Hepatitis B,C, virus, associated to certain risk practices are investigated.


RESULTS
The prevalence of infection by HIV-1 is 1.05% with confidence intervals of 0 and 3%; no seropositivity to HIV-2 was detected. In forty-two out of the women surveyed, 44, 21% show some positive marker of the hepatitis-B (HBV) (C.I. 95% 34.1-54.2). Antibodies to the Hepatitis C virus (Anti-HCV) are present in three women, 3.16% (C.I. 95% 0-6%). Among the risk practices studied, it stands out that 44% use condoms in their relations with clients and only in 2.54% because of clients demand. In unremunerated couples, between 50 and 70% never use preservatives in sexual relations.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that infections by HIV-1/HIV-2 are not prevalent in non drug-users prostitutes in Extremadura. Likewise, the low use of preservative, in professional relations as well as in couples, is significative; and it stands out the high frequency of refusal to use preservatives by clients or partners. It is considered necessary to increase health education of these collectives and general heterosexual population, in order to change attitudes in private or professional sexual relations.
Gimeno Ortiz
A
A
Servicio de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Extremadura.
Jiménez Romano
R
R
Vázquez Domíngez
J A
JA
Gómez Martínez
M C
MC
Muñiz Pérez
E
E
D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D015497:HIV-1; D015498:HIV-2; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D011477:Sex Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders
Extensión de la infección por virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH-1/VIH-2) y de hepatitis B y C en prostitutas no adictas a drogas. Extremadura.