title: Role of core and bridging groups in the transmission dynamics of HIV and STIs in Cotonou, Benin, West Africa.
abstract: The potential for exposure of low and high risk women to HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI) through unprotected sex with male clients of female sex workers in Cotonou could account for most if not all of the estimated yearly numbers of HIV infections in Cotonou women (approximately 1000). As ongoing transmission of HIV, and also of the most predominant STIs such as gonorrhoea and HSV-2, appears to be largely fuelled by transmission within core and bridging groups in Cotonou, interventions targeted at both female sex workers and their male clients remain of the utmost importance and could have a significant effect on the evolution of HIV/STI epidemics in Benin.
authors.affiliation: Groupe de recherche en épidémiologie de l'Université Laval, Hôpital du Saint-Sacrement du CHA, Québec, Canada. clowndes@gre.ulaval.ca
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lowndes
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alary
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Meda
authors.forename: C A B
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Gnintoungbé
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mukenge-Tshibaka
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Adjovi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buvé
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Morison
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laourou
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kanhonou
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Anagonou
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001541:Benin / Q000453:epidemiology; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015980:Public Health Practice; D012309:Risk-Taking; D011477:Sex Work; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000635:transmission*