title: Effectiveness of interventions for the prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in female sex workers in resource poor setting: a systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To systematically review the evidence for effectiveness of HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention interventions in female sex workers in resource poor settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  Published and unpublished studies were identified through electronic databases (Cochrane database, Medline, Embase, and Web of Science), hand searching and contacting experts. Randomized-controlled-trials and quasi-experimental studies were included if they were conducted in female sex workers from low and middle income settings; if the exposure was described; if the outcome was externally measurable, it was after the discovery of HIV, and if follow-up was longer than 6 months. A priori criteria were used to extract data. Meta-analysis was not performed due to the heterogeneity of studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-eight interventions were included. Despite methodological limitations, the evidence suggested that combining sexual risk reduction, condom promotion and improved access to STI treatment reduces HIV and STI acquisition in sex workers receiving the intervention. Strong evidence that regular STI screening or periodic treatment of STIs confers additional protection against HIV was lacking. It appears that structural interventions, policy change or empowerment of sex workers, reduce the prevalence of STIs and HIV.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rigorous evaluation of HIV/STI prevention interventions in sex workers is challenging. There is some evidence for the efficacy of multi-component interventions, and/or structural interventions. The effect of these interventions on the wider population has rarely been evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Sexual Health and HIV Research, University College London, London, UK. bamaryjoon@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shahmanesh
authors.forename: Vikram
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mabey
authors.forename: Frances
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cowan
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa; D001208:Asia; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D006295:Health Resources; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D011477:Sex Work; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*