Retrovirus seroprevalence and risk factors among Female Sex Workers in different Argentinean cities

PANDO MA, WEISSENBACHER M, REINAGA E, MAULEN S, BERINI C, MARONE R, MONTANO S, SÁNCHEZ J AND ÁVILA MM

La Habana

Jornada; II Foro en VIH/SIDA/ITS en América Latina y el Caribe; 2003

Grupo de Cooperación Técnica Horizontal de América Latina y el Caribe en VIH/SIDA (GCTH)

Introduction: Since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, significantly high rates of HIV infection have been documented among female sex workers (FSWs) as compared to other vulnerable populations. In Latin American countries this trend seems to vary throughout the region. Only few studies have examined the  HIV seroprevalence and risk factors associated with HIV infection in Argentine FSWs. These studies showed that HIV seroprevalence ranged from 1.4 to 6.4%. However, these studies were conducted several years ago and need to be updated in view of the changes of behaviors and practices´ patterns. Moreover, all previous studies were conducted in only two Argentinean cities. Nevertheless, the way in which sex work is organized in each city as well as its level of visibility vary considerably. Objective: The goal of the present work was to examine both HIV and HTLV-I/II seroprevalences in FSWs recruited by AMMAR (a non-governmental organization), from different cities of Argentina. Different behavioral and epidemiological data were collected with the aim of evaluating risk factors associated with viral transmission. Methods: We worked with FSWs who regularly exchange sex for money and defined themselves as SWs. The study surveys took place in six different cities of Argentina (Buenos Aires, Salta, Córdoba, Mendoza, Rosario and La Plata) between March 2000 and March 2001. In each city, FSWs were identified by other FSWs, asked to participate in the study and invited to receive STDs counseling, HIV and HTLV-I/II testing. After informed consent was obtained, FSWs were interviewed by trained social workers who administred a standardized questionnaire designed to obtain information regarding socio-demographic characteristics and sexual practices. A sample of anticoagulated blood was collected in a sterile fashion for determination of viral infection.  Samples were analyzed with ELISA and agglutination techniques. Those samples that resulted HIV or HTLV-I/II positive or indeterminate were subsequently confirmed by Western Blot assay. Results: The working site of FSWs was the streets, houses, bathhouses, nightclubs and brothels. We recluted 625 FSWs from all cities. The prevalence of HIV was 3.4% (10/296) in Buenos Aires, 2.3% (2/86) in Cordoba, 1% (1/100) in La Plata, 6.1% (2/33) in Mendoza and 5.1% (5/98) in Salta. We did not detect any HIV positive sample in the 12 samples analyzed from Rosario City. The prevalence of HTLV-I was 0.7% (2/296) in Buenos Aires, 1% (1/100) in La Plata and 4.1% (4/98) in Salta. No HTLV-I positive sample was found in Cordoba (86), Mendoza (33) or Rosario (12). We only detected HTLV-II in Buenos Aires, 0.4% (1/296). Conclusions: Throughout the different cities, the total HIV prevalence obtained was 3.2%, ranging from 1% in La Plata to 6.1% in Mendoza. HTLV-I prevalence was high in Salta City, in accordance to the high HTLV-I prevalence in the region (almost 1% in blood banks in Jujuy, a neighbor province). Given that few positive samples were obtained, no associated risk factors for HIV infection were detected. Further studies with more participants should be carried out.