Prevalence of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among female commercial sex workers in Argentina.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have shown to enhance the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and to be more common among female commercial sex workers (FSWs). A cross-sectional study was conducted among 625 FSWs in six cities of Argentina in 2000-2002. The seroprevalence of HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I/II, and syphilis was 3.2%, 14.4%, 4.3%, 1.6%, and 45.7%, respectively. Syphilis was associated with older age (>/= 30 years, adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.6 to 4.9), >/= 10 years in sex work (AOR = 2.2), use of illegal drugs (AOR = 2.1), and a prior history of an STI (AOR = 3.0). HBV and syphilis was the most common co-infection in 44 (7.5%) subjects. FSWs in Argentina are exposed to HIV and other STIs due to high-risk sexual and illegal drug use behavior. Renewed efforts are necessary to intervene effectively in this high-risk population.
Pando
María A
MA
Centro Nacional de Referencia para el SIDA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Berini
Carolina
C
Bibini
Mariel
M
Fernández
Mauro
M
Reinaga
Elena
E
Maulen
Sergio
S
Marone
Rubén
R
Biglione
Mirna
M
Montano
Silvia M
SM
Bautista
Christian T
CT
Weissenbacher
Mercedes
M
Sanchez
José L
JL
Avila
María M
MM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016174:Hepacivirus; D006515:Hepatitis B virus; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1; D015367:Human T-lymphotropic virus 2; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D011477:Sex Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013588:Syphilis Serodiagnosis