title: HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, in 2002.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Tropical Medicine, STD/HIV Research & Intervention Unit, Antwerp, Belgium. jvdpitte@itg.be
authors.forename: Judith M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Vandepitte
authors.forename: Faustin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Malele
authors.forename: Dieu-Merçi
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Kivuvu
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Edidi
authors.forename: Jérémie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Muwonga
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lepira
authors.forename: Said
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abdellati
authors.forename: Joelle
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kabamba
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Van Overloop
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buvé
mesh_terms: 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*