[Epidemiologic study on STD/HIV infections among tin mining workers in Gejiu, Yunnan province].
OBJECTIVE
To estimate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) related knowledge, the prevalence and risk factors for HIV/STDs among tin miners in Gejiu, Yunnan Province.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted in tin miners working at 5 mining regions from March to June 2006 in Gejiu City, Yunnan Province. A total of 1796 miners were enrolled in the study, and a standardized questionnaire was administered probing socio-demographic factors, knowledge of HIV/STDs and sexual behavior. 7 ml-volume venous blood and 15 ml urine specimens were collected for HIV/STDs testing.


RESULTS
Twelve participants [0.7%] (12/1760) were identified HIV positive. While, the positive proportions for syphilis, herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2), Neisseria gonorrhea and Chlamydia trachoma were 1.8% (31/1760), 9.6% (169/1760), 0.8% (14/1773), 4.8% (85/1773), respectively. The total prevalence of STDs was 14.9% (264/1776). Factors associated with HIV infection were illegal drug use (adjusted OR = 17.8; 95% CI: 4.0 - 78.8), frequencies of visiting female sex workers in the past twelve months (adjusted OR = 8.7; 95% CI: 1.9 - 39.0), tattoos (adjusted OR = 6.6; 95% CI: 1.8 - 24.0), surgical operation experiences (adjusted OR = 6.0; 95% CI: 1.6 - 22.5) and toothbrush sharing (adjusted OR = 5.6; 95% CI: 1.0 - 31.3). Factors associated with STDs infection were race (adjusted OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.5 - 2.7), age (adjusted OR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.0 - 2.9), illegal drug use (adjusted OR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.0 - 5.2), living with spouses (adjusted OR = 1.4; 95% CI: 1.1 - 1.9) and visiting female sex workers (adjusted OR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.4 - 2.6). Only 4.1% (49/1201) of respondents aware the correct transmission routes of HIV. 21.6% (339/1569) of the miners who had previous sexual experience self-reported visiting female sex workers.


CONCLUSIONS
HIV and other STDs are highly prevalent amongst miners in this region. In addition, the awareness of HIV/STDs is low and multiple routes of HIV transmission, such as heterosexual intercourse and IDU, were also observed in these study subject. HIV/STDs interventions should therefore be reinforced among the miners in this region.
Zhang
Guo-lei
GL
National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.
Wang
Ning
N
Xu
Jun-jie
JJ
Pu
Yi
Y
Ni
Wen-ling
WL
Lu
Lin
L
Min
Xiang-dong
XD
Ma
Yan-ling
YL
Ding
Guo-wei
GW
Fu
Zhuo-hua
ZH
Wang
Hai-bo
HB
Dong
Rui-ling
RL
Wu
Zheng-lai
ZL
Zheng
Xi-wen
XW
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008906:Mining; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014001:Tin
D014001:Tin