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P2-S2.07 Improving sexually transmitted infections (STI) prevention strategies: factors associated with STIs among female sex workers in India

Year: 2011
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background Studies among high-risk groups (HRGs) have shown that the presence of STIs is associated with certain demographic and behavioural characteristics as well as exposure to HIV/STI prevention interventions. The objective of this study was to understand the correlates of STIs in female sex workers (FSWs) in India in order to improve STI programming for HRGs. Methods During 2008–2009, 417 female sex workers were recruited from three STI clinics in two cities of India as part of an operations research to evaluate the effectiveness of STI prevention service package for sex workers under Avahan, the India AIDS Initiative of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Behavioural and clinical information along with biological samples were collected. Bivariate analysis of demographic and behavioural characteristics associated with the prevalence of common bacterial STIs-Neisseria gonorrhoeae,Chlamydia trachomatis,Treponema pallidumandTrichomonas vaginalisfrom the baseline data is presented in this paper. Results At baseline 49.2% of the participants had a laboratory confirmed diagnosis for at least one of the four bacterial STIs. The significant factors associated with STI prevalence among FSWs were: inability to read or write (OR=2.2, p=0.002); not staying with a sexual partner (OR=1.5, p=0.036); typology of sex work: home-/hotel-based (OR=2.5, p=0.038) vs brothel-based and street-based (OR=3.1, p=0.004) vs brothel-based; regular or occasional consumption of alcohol (OR=1.9, p=0.002); poor knowledge of STI symptoms (OR=1.6, p=0.017); low self-risk perception for acquiring STIs (OR=1.6, p=0.031); less than 2 years in sex work (OR=1.8, p=0.008); no prior exposure to HIV/STI interventions (OR=2.0, p=0.001); and no STI check-ups in the past 6 months (OR=1.5, p=0.029) see Abstract P2-S2.07 Table 1. Abstract P2-S2.07 Table 1 Factors associated with sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in India Factors OR 95% CI p value Illiterate (can not read or write) 2.2 (1.3 to 3.7) 0.002 Not staying with a sexual partner 1.5 (1.0 to 2.4) 0.036 Typology Brothel-based Reference Home/hotel-based 2.5 (1.0 to 6.7) 0.038 Street-based 3.1 (1.3 to 7.7) 0.004 Consume alcohol (regularly or occasionally) 1.9 (1.2 to 2.8) 0.002 Poor knowledge of STI symptoms 1.6 (1.1 to 2.4) 0.017 Low self-risk perception for acquiring STIs 1.6 (1.0 to 2.5) 0.031 New to sex work (less than 2 years) 1.8 (1.1 to 2.8) 0.008 No prior exposure to STI/HIV interventions 2.0(1.3 to 3.0) 0.001 No STI check-ups in past 6 months 1.5 (1.0 to 2.3) 0.029 Conclusions HIV/STI prevention programs for FSWs in India need to prioritise services for HRGs who have characteristics associated with STI prevalence. Additionally, awareness activities should promote the importance of regular STI check-ups, recognition and early treatment for STI symptoms.
DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2011-050108.303
Authors: P Narayanan, A Das, A Gurung, P Parimi, G Rao, A Risbud
Language: English
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2320099727
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