HIV infection among lower socioeconomic strata prostitutes in Nairobi.
A cohort of 418 lower socioeconomic strata prostitutes were enrolled in a study of the epidemiology of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) between January and April 1985. Sixty-two per cent of the women were seropositive for HIV infection at enrollment. Significant associations were found between HIV seropositivity and Tanzanian origin (OR = 2.12, CI 95% = 1.18-3.81, P less than 0.03), younger age, a shorter duration of prostitution, reduced fecundity, use of oral contraceptives (OR = 1.8, CI 95% = 1.1-2.9, P less than 0.05) and genital ulcer disease (OR = 3.32, P less than 0.00001). No associations were noted with other STD. Stepwise logistic regression analysis confirmed independent associations between HIV infection and Tanzanian origin (OR = 2.27, CI 95% = 1.25-4.14, P less than 0.007), reduced fecundity (OR = 0.83, CI 95% = 0.74-0.94, P less than 0.003), oral contraceptive use (OR = 2.02, CI 95% = 1.22-3.35, P less than 0.006) and duration of prostitution (OR = 0.39, CI 95% = 0.23-0.65, P less than 0.004). Oral contraceptives may increase susceptibility to HIV or may be a marker for other factors which increase risk of acquisition. Further studies are necessary to confirm this association.
Simonsen
J N
JN
Centre for Microbiologic Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute.
Plummer
F A
FA
Ngugi
E N
EN
Black
C
C
Kreiss
J K
JK
Gakinya
M N
MN
Waiyaki
P
P
D'Costa
L J
LJ
Ndinya-Achola
J O
JO
Piot
P
P
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000635:transmission; D000328:Adult; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000009:adverse effects; D015981:Epidemiologic Factors; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D011477:Sex Work; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013636:Tanzania / Q000208:ethnology; D013997:Time Factors
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral