[Sexually-transmitted infection in a high-risk group from Montería, Colombia].
OBJECTIVE
Identifying the main aetiological agents of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in a high-risk population from the city of Montería, Colombia.


METHODS
The population consisted of 69 sex-workers (high-risk group) and 16 housewives (low-risk group) living in the city of Montería. Specimens were cultured by standard microbiological methods and by the AMPLICOR CT/NG molecular technique.


RESULTS
Patients were aged 18-44 (26.1 average age). It was determined that 17,4% of the high-risk population were positive for G. vaginalis, 15,9 % for C. trachomatis, 4,3 % for N. gonorrhoeae and 2,9 % for T. vaginalis and Candida albicans and, in the low-risk population, 56,3 % for G. vaginalis, 12,5 % for C. trachomatis, 6,3 % for N. gonorrhoeae and 12,5 % for C. albicans. It was found that 70 % of the sex-workers had 5-10 sexual relationships per week, 10 % 11-15 per week and 20 % 16-20 per week (average above 1 000 annual partners). 15,4 % of the sex-workers did not use protection during their sexual relationships.


CONCLUSIONS
The high rates of infection found in the populations studied presume a high risk of transmission, making it a priority to intervene in these groups to prevent the spread of HIV and STI.
Alvis
Nelson
N
Departamento de Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales, Universidad de Cartagena, Colombia.
Mattar
Salim
S
Garcia
Jair
J
Conde
Edwin
E
Diaz
Alberto
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003105:Colombia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D011477:Sex Work; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D014504:Urban Health