Immigration status and HIV-risk related behaviors among female sex workers in South America.
This study compares immigrant (i.e., foreigner) with non-immigrant (i.e., local/native) HIV-related risk behaviors among female sex workers (FSW) in South America. A total of 1,845 FSW were enrolled in Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Uruguay. According to their nationality, 10.1% of participants were immigrant FSW. Immigrant FSW were more likely to be younger in Argentina; to work in a disco/bar in Bolivia; to be single and use illegal drugs in Ecuador; and to work in a brothel, consume alcohol, and have sex with foreign clients in Uruguay. HIV-related sexual and drug use behaviors were more common among immigrant FSW in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Uruguay. Country-specific HIV/STI prevention and control programs should be developed for immigrant FSW populations in South America.
Bautista
Christian T
CT
US Military HIV Research Program at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 1 Taft Court, Suite 250, Rockville, MD 20850, USA. cbautista@hivresearch.org
Mosquera
Carlos
C
Serra
Margarita
M
Gianella
Alberto
A
Avila
Maria M
MM
Laguna-Torres
Victor
V
Carr
Jean K
JK
Montano
Silvia M
SM
Sanchez
José L
JL
D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D015497:HIV-1; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D011477:Sex Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013020:South America / Q000453:epidemiology