Syphilis Infection Among Female Sex Workers in Colombia

Overview

Journal J Immigr Minor Health

Publisher Springer

Specialties Public Health
Social Sciences

Date 2007 Oct 16

PMID 17934887

Citations 8

Authors

Alfredo Mejia

Christian T Bautista

Luis Leal

Claudia Ayala

Franklyn Prieto

Fernando De la Hoz

Martha L Alzate

Jacqueline Acosta

Jose L Sanchez

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: To study the epidemiology of Treponema pallidum (syphilis) among female sex workers (FSW) in Santa Fe de Bogotá, Colombia.

Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Participants were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire, which collected socio-demographic characteristics and risk behavior information. Blood samples were screened for syphilis using the VDRL test and the MHATP assay.

Results: The prevalence of syphilis was 10.3% (53/514). Adjusted risk factors significantly associated with syphilis were: age (linear increase), education (primary or no education), monthly income (<USD 180), time in sex work (>or=4 years), number of clients per week (>or=22), main workplace (street), inconsistent (never) condom use in sex work, previous STI history, and use of illegal drugs.

Conclusions: Effective health education programs for improving the level of knowledge of STI and the promotion of consistent condom use activities along with other appropriate harm reduction activities are urgently required among FSW in Colombia.

Citing Articles

Exposure to among Female Sex Workers: A Retrospective Study Conducted in the State of Pará, Brazilian Amazon.

Carvalho T, Laurindo P, Araujo D, Fonseca R, Laurentino R, Monteiro J Pathogens. 2024; 13(7).

PMID: 39057786 PMC: 11279634. DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13070559.

Treponema pallidum genetic diversity and its implications for targeted vaccine development: A cross-sectional study of early syphilis cases in Southwestern Colombia.

Salazar J, Vargas-Cely F, Garcia-Luna J, Ramirez L, Bettin E, Romero-Rosas N PLoS One. 2024; 19(7):e0307600.

PMID: 39028747 PMC: 11259262. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0307600.

among Female Sex Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study Conducted in Three Major Cities in Northern Brazil.

Machado L, Monteiro J, Siravenha L, Mota M, de Carvalho Souza M, Santos A Pathogens. 2021; 10(8).

PMID: 34451387 PMC: 8401545. DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10080923.

Prevalence and incidence estimates for syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and congenital syphilis in Colombia, 1995-2016.

Korenromp E, Rios C, Apolinar A, Caicedo S, Cuellar D, Cardenas I Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2019; 42:e118.

PMID: 31093146 PMC: 6385794. DOI: 10.26633/RPSP.2018.118.

Expanding syphilis testing: a scoping review of syphilis testing interventions among key populations.

Ong J, Fu H, Smith M, Tucker J Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2018; 16(5):423-432.

PMID: 29633888 PMC: 6046060. DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2018.1463846.

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