Sexual transmission of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infections among male transvestite comercial sex workers in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Prostitution may constitute a risk behavior for infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We conducted a seroepidemiologic study among 200 male transvestite commercial sex workers (CSWs) in Montevideo, Uruguay in 1999. Evidence of exposure to HBV, HCV, and HIV was found in 101 (50.5%), 13 (6.5%), and 43 (21.5%) individuals, respectively. Positivity for HIV was correlated with both HBV (odds ratio [OR] = 2.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01-4.67) and HCV (OR = 3.47, 95% CI = 0.90-12.79) infection. Predictors of infection were older age (> or = 26 years; P < 0.01) for all 3 viruses and time in CSW (> or = 5 years; P < 0.05) for HBV and HIV. Prior history of use of drugs (OR = 3.54, 95% CI = 1.09-11.52) and sexual contact with foreigners (OR = 9.2, 95% CI = 1.16-73.12) were found to be associated only with HCV infection. Sexual transmission of these viruses constitutes a significant problem among male transvestite CSWs.
Russi
Jose C
JC
Department of Laboratories, AIDS/HIV National Program, Ministry of Heath, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Serra
Margarita
M
Viñoles
Jose
J
Pérez
M T
MT
Ruchansky
D
D
Alonso
G
G
Sanchez
Jose L
JL
Russell
Kevin L
KL
Montano
Silvia M
SM
Negrete
Monica
M
Weissenbacher
Mercedes
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D011477:Sex Work; D015229:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D014190:Transvestism; D014583:Uruguay
D015483:HIV Antibodies; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies