Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in registered female sex workers in northern Mexico.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about the epidemiology of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in female sex workers (FSWs) in Mexico.


OBJECTIVE
The goal of the study was to determine the prevalence of C trachomatis infection in registered FSWs from northern Mexico and to determine the sociodemographic characteristics associated with the infection.


METHODS
An enzyme immunoassay was used to test 354 FSWs in three northern Mexican cities for cervical C trachomatis infection. All participants were registered in a government health office. Recruitment was consecutive and voluntary. The association between clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of FSWs and infection was evaluated.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of C trachomatis infection among participants in the three cities was 12.4%. Women of low socioeconomic level and those younger than 25 years were the most frequently infected. Among FSWs in Durango, a higher frequency of C trachomatis infection was found for those who did not use condoms.


CONCLUSIONS
C trachomatis is an important pathogen in the sexually transmitted diseases of registered FSWs in northern Mexico.
Esquivel
Cosme Alvarado
CA
Instituto de Investigación Científica, Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Durango, Mexico. alvaradocosme@yahoo.com
Briones Ezcarzaga
Miguel Laureano
ML
Castruita Limones
Dora Elia
DE
Lazalde Ramos
Blanca Patricia
BP
Salas
Elsa Villegas
EV
Gutierrez
Alfonso Arizpe
AA
Medrano
Juan Carlos
JC
Castellanos
Sergio
S
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011477:Sex Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires