Sexually transmitted infection screening uptake and knowledge of sexually transmitted infection symptoms among female sex workers participating in a community randomised trial in Peru.
This study aims to evaluate condom use, sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening, and knowledge of STI symptoms among female sex workers in Peru associated with sex work venues and a community randomised trial of STI control. One component of the Peru PREVEN intervention conducted mobile-team outreach to female sex workers to reduce STIs and increase condom use and access to government clinics for STI screening and evaluation. Prevalence ratios were calculated using multivariate Poisson regression models with robust standard errors, clustering by city. As-treated analyses were conducted to assess outcomes associated with reported exposure to the intervention. Care-seeking was more frequent in intervention communities, but differences were not statistically significant. Female sex workers reporting exposure to the intervention had a significantly higher likelihood of condom use, STI screening at public health clinics, and symptom recognition compared to those not exposed. Compared with street- or bar-based female sex workers, brothel-based female sex workers reported significantly higher rates of condom use with last client, recent screening exams for STIs, and HIV testing. Brothel-based female sex workers also more often reported knowledge of STIs and recognition of STI symptoms in women and in men. Interventions to promote STI detection and prevention among female sex workers in Peru should consider structural or regulatory factors related to sex work venues.
Departments of Global Health, Psychosocial & Community Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA pkohler2@uw.edu.
Pamela K
PK
Kohler
Investigaciones Médicas en Salud, Lima, Peru.
Pablo E
PE
Campos
Epidemiology, STD/AIDS Unit, School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
Patricia J
PJ
Garcia
Epidemiology, STD/AIDS Unit, School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
Cesar P
CP
Carcamo
Epidemiology, STD/AIDS Unit, School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
Clara
C
Buendia
Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
James P
JP
Hughes
Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
Carolina
C
Mejia
HIV/AIDS and TB, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA, USA.
Geoff P
GP
Garnett
Departments of Global Health, Medicine, and Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
King K
KK
Holmes
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010568:Peru / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011477:Sex Work; D060386:Sex Workers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control
Female sex workers; Peru; health behavior; sexually transmitted infection