HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, in 2002.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among female sex workers (FSWs) in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, in 2002.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted among FSWs presenting for the first time at the STI clinic of Matonge, Kinshasa. The women were interviewed about sociodemographic characteristics, type of sex work, and sexual behavior. Blood was taken for HIV, syphilis, and herpes simplex virus type 2 serology. Vaginal secretions were collected on swabs for the diagnosis of gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis.


RESULTS
The overall HIV prevalence was 12.4% but varied within the different categories of FSWs: 11.8% in hotel-based, 24.0% in home-based, and 20.0% in street-based FSWs; 10.0% in homeless FSWs; and 6.6% in Masquées (clandestine sex workers). The overall herpes simplex virus type 2 seroprevalence was 58.5%.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of HIV and other STIs seems to have stabilized since the beginning of the project in 1988.
Vandepitte
Judith M
JM
Institute of Tropical Medicine, STD/HIV Research & Intervention Unit, Antwerp, Belgium. jvdpitte@itg.be
Malele
Faustin
F
Kivuvu
Dieu-Merçi
DM
Edidi
Samuel
S
Muwonga
Jérémie
J
Lepira
François
F
Abdellati
Said
S
Kabamba
Joelle
J
Van Overloop
Catherine
C
Buvé
Anne
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015023:Democratic Republic of the Congo / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011477:Sex Work; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*