Sexually Transmitted Infections in Female Sex Workers in Five Border Provinces of Vietnam

Background: Although high prevalences of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have been reported among female sex workers (FSWs) in some countries of Asia, there is little data about this issue in Vietnam. Goal: The goal of this study was to determine 1) the prevalence of selected STIs and correla...

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Published in:Sexually transmitted diseases 2005-09, Vol.32 (9), p.550-556
Main Authors: THUONG, NGUYEN VU, LONG, NGUYEN THANH, HUNG, NGUYEN DUY, LE THI THANH TRUC, NHUNG, VO THI TUYET, VAN, CAO THI BAO, O'FARRELL, NIGEL
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Chlamydia
Chlamydia Infections - epidemiology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Females
General aspects
Gonorrhea - epidemiology
Human infectious diseases. Experimental studies and models
Humans
Infectious diseases
Medical sciences
Prevalence
Prostitution
Rural Population
Sex Work
Sexual behavior
Sexually transmitted diseases
Sexually Transmitted Diseases - epidemiology
Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial - epidemiology
STD
Surveys and Questionnaires
Syphilis - epidemiology
Vietnam
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Summary:Background: Although high prevalences of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have been reported among female sex workers (FSWs) in some countries of Asia, there is little data about this issue in Vietnam. Goal: The goal of this study was to determine 1) the prevalence of selected STIs and correlates of chlamydia or gonococcal infection, and 2) contraceptive practices, STI-related symptoms, and healthcareseeking behavior in FSWs in border provinces of Vietnam. Methods: Nine hundred eleven FSWs in five border provinces of Vietnam (Lai Chau, Quang Tri, Dong Thap, An Giang, and Kien Giang) were enrolled in a cross-sectional study between December 2002 and January 2003. Study subjects were interviewed about selected sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics, history of STIs, and information about cohabiting partners by a standard interview schedule. Serologic samples were collected for syphilis and urine specimens for gonorrhea and chlamydia. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine behavioral and other selected risk factors for gonorrhea/chlamydia among FSWs. Results: Overall, the prevalences of syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and gonorrhea/chlamydia among FSWs in the five border provinces were 10.7%, 10.7%, 11.9%, and 19.9%, respectively. The prevalence of gonorrhea/chlamydia was higher in the northern and central regions (27-33%) than in the southern region (11-24%). The prevalence of syphilis was low in Lai Chau (1%), but higher than 10% in the other four border provinces. Among FSWs with cohabiting partners, income ≤33 US$ per month (odds ratio [OR] = 5.8, P = 0.009), ever having worked outside Vietnam (OR = 78.2, P = 0.007), partner's age
ISSN:0148-5717
1537-4521
DOI:10.1097/01.olq.0000175415.06716.6d