Declines in risk behaviour and sexually transmitted infection prevalence following a community-led HIV preventive intervention among female sex workers in Mysore, India.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the impact on sexual behaviour and sexually transmitted infections (STI) of a comprehensive community-led intervention programme for reducing sexual risk among female sex workers (FSW) in Mysore, India. The key programme components were: community mobilization and peer-mediated outreach; increasing access to and utilization of sexual health services; and enhancing the enabling environment to support programme activities.


METHODS
Two cross-sectional surveys among random samples of FSW were conducted 30 months apart, in 2004 and 2006.


RESULTS
Of over 1000 women who sell sex in Mysore city, 429 participated in the survey at baseline and 425 at follow-up. The median age was 30 years, median duration in sex work 4 years, and the majority were street based (88%). Striking increases in condom use were seen between baseline and follow-up surveys: condom use at last sex with occasional clients was 65% versus 90%, P < 0001; with repeat clients 53% versus 66%, P < 0.001; and with regular partners 7% versus 30%, P < 0.001. STI prevalence declined from baseline to follow-up: syphilis 25% versus 12%, P < 0.001; trichomonas infection 33% versus 14%, P < 0.001; chlamydial infection 11% versus 5%, P = 0.001; gonorrhoea 5% versus 2%, P = 0.03. HIV prevalence remained stable (26% versus 24%), and detuned assay testing suggested a decline in recent HIV infections.


CONCLUSIONS
This comprehensive HIV preventive intervention empowering FSW has resulted in striking increases in reported condom use and a concomitant reduction in the prevalence of curable STI. This model should be replicated in similar urban settings across India.
Reza-Paul
Sushena
S
Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
Beattie
Tara
T
Syed
Hafeez Ur Rahman
HU
Venukumar
Koppal T
KT
Venugopal
Mysore S
MS
Fathima
Mary P
MP
Raghavendra
H R
HR
Akram
Pasha
P
Manjula
Ramaiah
R
Lakshmi
M
M
Isac
Shajy
S
Ramesh
Banadakoppa M
BM
Washington
Reynold
R
Mahagaonkar
Sangameshwar B
SB
Glynn
Judith R
JR
Blanchard
James F
JF
Moses
Stephen
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012309:Risk-Taking; D011477:Sex Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult