Bertozzi SM, Gutierrez JP, Molina D; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).
Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. WePeC6217.
Division of Health Economics and Policy, National Institute of Public Health (INSP), Cuernavaca, Mexico
Background: The Ecuadorian HIV epidemic is, as in many other Latin-American countries, concentrated among MSM (prevalence of 15%). The adult prevalence is 0.3%, and the reported prevalence among female sex workers (FSW) is between 0.5% and 1%. The lack of data on sexual behavior has made it difficult to explain why infection rates have remained persistently low among FSW despite the high rates among other key populations. Methods: As a part of the evaluation of the Frontiers Prevention Project (FPP), a comprehensive prevention program in Ecuador, a baseline survey of FSW was implemented. The questionnaire gathered information about their sexual behavior and demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. The preliminary analysis presented here reflects data gathered from 2,920 FSW in 6 cities in Ecuador. Results: With a median charge of US[dollar]5 per client, over 98% of the FSW reported vaginal sex with their last client. Of them, 88% reported use a condom. When considering the last 3 clients, condom use in all 3 sexual intercourse was reported by 84% of FSW. Of the approximately 15% who did not consistently use a condom, about 50% reported that they never use condoms. These high condom use rates by FSW were not maintained with their regular partners with whom only 6.5% reported having used a condom at last intercourse. Urine dipsticks examination for leukocytes suggested that 23% of the sex workers had an active STI or urinary tract infection. Conclusions: These preliminary data suggest that a significant proportion of infection risk among Ecuadorian FSW comes from same source as women who are not in sex work - their relationships with their regular partners, especially for the over 80% of FSW who report consistent condom use with clients. Though etiologic STI diagnostic results are pending, the high rates of urinary leukocytes suggest that STI infection rates may be high and that there may exist significant potential for expansion of HIV infection among this population.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Adult
- Coitus
- Condoms
- Data Collection
- Ecuador
- Female
- HIV Infections
- Humans
- Prevalence
- Prostitution
- Safe Sex
- Sexual Behavior
Other ID:
UI: 102284135
From Meeting Abstracts