[Risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases in prostitutes and transvestites in Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil].
OBJECTIVE
To describe the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of sex workers in the city of Ribeirão Preto, which is in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, and to investigate the risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in this population.


METHODS
All the areas in the city where female or male prostitutes or transvestites work or live were visited. The participants answered a questionnaire that collected sociodemographic data and information concerning risk factors for STDs. A social worker who for more than five years had carried out educational activities with sex workers in Ribeirão Preto was responsible for the interviews.


RESULTS
The 449 female prostitutes, 13 male prostitutes, and 53 male transvestite sex workers who were included in the study make up a young population, with little schooling and a low socioeconomic level. A majority of them were born in states other than São Paulo, and a third of them still maintain a residence in some other state. In comparison to the prostitutes (the female and male prostitutes considered together), the transvestites had a significantly higher risk for STDs, which was reflected in their number of years as sex workers, average number of sexual partners per day, history of ulcerative STDs, practice of anal sex, use of illegal noninjectable drugs (especially crack), and history of incarceration. Exposure to alcohol was the only risk factor found more frequently in the prostitutes. Using a condom with a steady partner was less frequent than was condom use in commercial sex, for both the prostitutes and the transvestites.


CONCLUSIONS
Sex workers in Ribeirão Preto, especially transvestites, are socially marginalized and at high risk for STDs. Public health services should focus more attention on this population by developing prevention programs and by supporting additional research that could provide more detailed knowledge concerning the specific risk factors that put this population at risk for STDs.
Passos
Afonso Dinis Costa
AD
Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Medicina Social, Brazil. apassos@fmrp.usp.br
Figueiredo
José Fernando de Castro
JF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D011477:Sex Work; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires