Violence as a barrier for HIV prevention among female sex workers in Argentina.
BACKGROUND
Violence against female sex workers (FSWs) has been increasingly reported as an important determinant of HIV infection risk. This study explores the frequency of different violent experiences (sexual abuse, rejection, beating and imprisonment) among FSWs in Argentina and its association with condom use and HIV and T. pallidum prevalence.


METHODS
A convenience sample of 1255 FSWs was included in a cross-sectional study conducted between October 2006 and November 2009.


RESULTS
Sexual abuse was reported by 24.1% (219/907) of women. A total of 34.7% (42/1234) reported rejection experiences, 21.9% (267/1215) reported having been beaten and 45.4% (561/1236) stated having been arrested because of their sex work activity. There was a higher frequency of inconsistent condom use with clients among FSWs who had experienced sexual abuse, rejection, and police detention. A higher frequency of HIV and T. pallidum infection was detected among FSWs who reported having been arrested by the police.


CONCLUSIONS
The study shows for the first time the frequency of different violent situations among FSWs in Argentina. The association between violence against sex workers, condom use and STI prevalence demonstrated here calls for measures to reduce stigma and violence against FSWs. Such violent experiences may increase vulnerability to STI through coerced unprotected sex.
Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y SIDA-INBIRS, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina. mpando@fmed.uba.ar
María A
MA
Pando
Romina S
RS
Coloccini
Elena
E
Reynaga
Marcelo
M
Rodriguez Fermepin
Lucia
L
Gallo Vaulet
Tadeusz J
TJ
Kochel
Silvia M
SM
Montano
María M
MM
Avila
D000328:Adult; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D060386:Sex Workers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014754:Violence; D055815:Young Adult