HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C among local and immigrant female sex workers in six cities of Argentina.

BAUTISTA CT; PANDO MA; SATEREN WB; MONTANO S; REYNAGA E; SCOTT P; CARR JK; SANCHEZ J; GUTHRIE B; AVILA MM

Toronto

Conferencia; XVI International AIDS Conference; 2006

IAS

Background: After Brazil, Argentina has the second country with the highest reported HIV prevalence among female sex workers (FSWs). There is, however, a lack of information on risk factors for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among immigrant FSWs. Methods: Six cross-sectional studies among FSWs were performed in the cities of Buenos Aires, Salta, Rosario, Córdoba, Mendoza and La Plata between 2000 and 2002. Sociodemographic and behavioral data were also collected. HIV, syphilis, hepatitis C (HCV) and hepatitis B (HBV) were tested. HIV genotyping was conducted using the envelope Heteroduplex Mobility Assay (HMA). Results: Of 625 individuals, 169 (27%) came from foreign countries; 39% from Paraguay, 32% from the Dominican Republic, 10% from Brazil, 7% from Peru and 6% from Uruguay. Compared with Argentinean FSWs, immigrant FSWs were significantly younger, unemployed, less educated, and unmarried. Immigrant FSWs also reported higher proportion of anal sex with clients, sex in exchange for goods, low condom use, and higher alcohol consumption. HIV, syphilis, and HCV prevalences were higher among Argentinean FSWs compared to immigrant FSWs ((4% [18] vs. 1% [2], p = 0.137; 52% [223] vs. 30% [30], p < 0.001; 6%, [24] vs. 1% [2], p = 0.023; 4% vs. 1%, p=0.137; 52% vs. 30%, p<0.001; 6% vs. 1%, p=0.023). However, HBV prevalence was lower among Argentinean FSWs (19% vs. 13%, p=0.047). By HMA, the two HIV-positive immigrant FSWs were subtype C and subtype B. Conclusions: Although, lower HIV, syphilis and HCV prevalences were observed among immigrant FSWs, the higher proportion of sexual risk behaviors in this group may contribute to the increasing trend in HIV and STI rates in Argentina. Specific educational prevention programs need to be implemented for migrants FSWs