Prevalence of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in selected populations in China

Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in registered female sex workers in northern Mexico

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the epidemiology of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in female sex workers (FSWs) in Mexico.

GOAL

The goal of the study was to determine the prevalence of C trachomatis infection in registered FSWs from northern Mexico and to determine the sociodemographic characteristics associated with the infection.

STUDY DESIGN

An enzyme immunoassay was used to test 354 FSWs in three northern Mexican cities for cervical C trachomatis infection. All participants were registered in a government health office. Recruitment was consecutive and voluntary. The association between clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of FSWs and infection was evaluated.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of C trachomatis infection among participants in the three cities was 12.4%. Women of low socioeconomic level and those younger than 25 years were the most frequently infected. Among FSWs in Durango, a higher frequency of C trachomatis infection was found for those who did not use condoms.

CONCLUSION

C trachomatis is an important pathogen in the sexually transmitted diseases of registered FSWs in northern Mexico.

Decreasing STD incidence and increasing condom use among Chinese sex workers following a short term intervention: a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To describe the impact of a repeating behavioural intervention focused on preventive education and provision of STD testing and treatment services to female sex workers.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study of 966 sex workers (first of its kind in China) was conducted in Guangzhou from March 1998 to October 1999. At each visit information was collected on sexual behaviour, condom use and knowledge about HIV transmission and condom use, education was given, STD were diagnosed, and treatment was provided free of charge. We evaluated trends in condom use, knowledge about HIV transmission and condom use, and STD incidences. Generalised estimating equations were applied to control for repeated measurements.

RESULTS

The proportion of consistent condom use increased from the intake through the third follow up visit (from 30% to 81%), as well as the proportion of having good knowledge on HIV transmission (4.3% to 98.6%) and condom use (23.6% to 79.3%). The incidence of gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis, and chlamydia decreased over each follow up visit; from 17.5/100 person years (PY), 22.4/100PY, 65.9/100PY at the first follow up visit to 5.1/100PY, 3.0/100PY, 16.1/100PY at the third follow up visit, for each STD respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

STD care and prevention programmes targeting sex workers are feasible in China and, more importantly, intervention consisting of prevention education and STD care is likely to reduce unprotected sexual behaviour and STD incidence in this group at high risk for HIV and other STD infection.

High prevalence of syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases among sex workers in China: potential for fast spread of HIV

OBJECTIVES

In China, in the early 1980s, sexually transmitted diseases (STD) started to increase steeply. Sex workers and their clients appeared to play an important role in the spread of STD. Prostitution is illegal in China, and therefore no specific services exist for sex workers unless they are arrested and detained in re-education centres. Staff of a maternal and neonatal hospital in Guangzhou felt the need for an STD care and prevention programme for sex workers outside detention, and started a programme within their hospital, which was unique in the Chinese context.

METHODS

From March 1998 to mid-October 1999 sex workers were recruited through various outreach methods, and were interviewed, counselled and examined for the presence of STD/HIV.

RESULTS

A total of 966 women, originating from all over China but working in Guangzhou, entered the programme. The median duration of prostitution was one year, and the median number of clients was seven per week. Antibodies to HIV were present in 1.4%. The prevalence of STD was very high: syphilis 14%, Chlamydia trachomatis 32%, gonorrhoea 8% and trichomoniasis 12.5%. Knowledge about STD/HIV transmission and condom use was poor.

CONCLUSION

Given the high prevalence of STD, the potential for the further spread of HIV is clearly present. STD care and prevention programmes for these women, outside detention, are urgently needed, and appear also to be feasible in China.