Prevalence of HIV and Treponema pallidum in sex workers

MARIA SOL DOS RAMOS FARÍAS; MARIA NOÉ GARCIA; ELENA REYNAGA; J. SOSA; MARIA DE LOS ANGELES PANDO; GLORIA GRIEMBERG; M.C. PIZZIMENTI; RUBEN MARONE; HORACIO SALOMÓN; MARIA MERCEDES AVILA

Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico

Conferencia; XVII International AIDS Conference; 2008

International AIDS Society

Objective: The objective was to estimate HIV and Treponema pallidum prevalence of infection in women, men and transvestites sex workers (SW) from different cities of Argentina, and to analyze risk factors associated with these infections. Methods: SW older than 18 years of age were recruited during 2006-2007. After signing a consent form, a blood sample was drawn. Every participant answered a questionnaire in order to obtain information regarding risk factors related to sex work. Results: So far, 800 women, 88 men and 74 transvestites accepted to participate. HIV prevalence in women was 2.2%, T.pallidum was 21.8% and coinfection was 1.1%. Among men, HIV prevalence was 14.8% and T.pallidum was 25.0%, while coinfection was 9.1%. In transvestite population, HIV prevalence was 32.4% and T.pallidum was 50%, coinfection was 23.0%.  Preliminary data analyzed in 420 SW women showed that 51.8% were not born in Argentina. 10.6% of women reported the use of illegal drugs (any kind). Among women with stable partners irregular use of condom was reported in 83% of the cases while 91.2% of the total population always used condom at work. Data from 52 SW men, 53.3% of their stable partners were males. Among 74 SW transvestites, 27.4% declared having had STI, (syphilis 75%). Conclusions: HIV prevalence of infection among female SW from Argentina was lower, though not significant, to that reported previously (3.2%), while prevalence of T.pallidum diminished (45.7%vs21.75%) significantly (p