Prevalence of gonococcal and chlamydial infections in commercial sex workers in a Peruvian Amazon city.

ABSTRACT

PIP: This study aims to characterize the prevalence of gonococcal and chlamydial infections among commercial sex workers (CSWs) in Iquitos, Peru, which provides a thriving market for CSWs and, consequently, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and to correlate those findings with social/behavioral characteristics. About 100 CSWs, recruited through street (n = 37) and brothel outreach (n = 67), were interviewed through questionnaires. Urine specimens were collected for gonorrhea and chlamydial testing. Findings revealed that registered CSWs were significantly more likely to have worked in the sex trade for more than 5 years, report 10 or more sex partners per week, and to work in brothels. Nonetheless, there were no significant differences in age, average charge for sex, or STD prevalence between registered and unregistered CSWs. Overall, 28% of CSWs were positive for chlamydia (22%) and gonorrhea (14%). Furthermore, a number of CSWs stated that they did not know whether they were at risk or assessed their risk as being low for contracting gonorrhea or AIDS. There was no significant association between self-perception of STD risk and STD prevalence. High infection rates, lack of knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS and STD risk assessment, and other high-risk behaviors prevalent among this population stress the need for STD intervention programs and risk reduction behavior.