HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, in 2002.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among female sex workers (FSWs) in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, in 2002.

STUDY DESIGN:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among FSWs presenting for the first time at the STI clinic of Matonge, Kinshasa. The women were interviewed about sociodemographic characteristics, type of sex work, and sexual behavior. Blood was taken for HIV, syphilis, and herpes simplex virus type 2 serology. Vaginal secretions were collected on swabs for the diagnosis of gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis.

RESULTS:
The overall HIV prevalence was 12.4% but varied within the different categories of FSWs:
11.8% in hotel-based, 24.0% in home-based, and 20.0% in street-based FSWs; 10.0% in homeless FSWs; and 6.6% in Masquées (clandestine sex workers). The overall herpes simplex virus type 2 seroprevalence was 58.5%.

CONCLUSIONS:
The prevalence of HIV and other STIs seems to have stabilized since the beginning of the project in 1988.

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Author information

Author/s: Vandepitte, Judith M (JM); Malele, Faustin (F); Kivuvu, Dieu-Merçi (DM); Edidi, Samuel (S); Muwonga, Jérémie (J); Lepira, François (F); Abdellati, Said (S); Kabamba, Joelle (J); Van Overloop, Catherine (C); Buvé, Anne (A);

Affiliation: Institute of Tropical Medicine, STD/HIV Research & Intervention Unit, Antwerp, Belgium. jvdpitte(-atsign-)itg.be

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Sexually transmitted diseases (Sex Transm Dis), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Apr; vol 34 (issue 4) : pp 203-8

Dates: Created 2007/04/06; Completed 2007/05/15;

PMID: 16878053, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Adult
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Democratic Republic of the Congo - epidemiology
Female

HIV Infections - blood; epidemiology; etiology; prevention & control
Humans
Prevalence
Prostitution
Risk Factors
Sexually Transmitted Diseases - blood; epidemiology; etiology; microbiology; prevention & control

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