Prevalence of HIV Infection in Sex Workers in a Capital City of Northeast Brazil

Gir, Elucir

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Exhibit Hall

Elucir Gir, Gir, E, Program at the Nursing Graduate Program in Fundamental Nursing, Nursing. Full Professor, School of Nursing of the University of São Paulo (USP – Ribeirão Preto), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil, Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil, Rosilane Magalhães, Magalhães, RLB, Technological Technical College, Professor University Federal do Piauí CTP, Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil, Lilian Andreia Fleck Reinato, Reinato LAF, Program in Fundamental Nursing, Doctorate in Nursing Program in Fundamental Nursing, School of Nursing of the University of São Paulo (USP – Ribeirão Preto), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil, Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil, Fernanda Maria Vieira Pereira, Pereira FMV, Interunit Program of Doctorate in Nursing, Doctorate in Nursing form the Interunit Program of Doctorate in Nursing, School of Nursing of the University of São Paulo (USP – Ribeirão Preto), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil, Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil, Renata Karina Reis, Reis, RK, Program at the Nursing Graduate Program in Fundamental Nursing, Professor School of Nursing of the University of São Paulo (USP – Ribeirão Preto), Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil, Brazil, Marli Galvão, Galvão, MTG, Department of Nursing graduate of the Federal University of Ceará, Full Professor Federal University of Ceará, Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil and Sheila Teles, Teles, SA, School of Nursing, Federal University of Goiás, Full Professor, University Federal de Goiás, Goiania, Brazil

Background: OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of HIV infection in female sex workers in Northeast Brazil.

Methods: Cross-sectional study performed with sex workers in Teresina, Northeast Brazil. Data collection was performed using an instrument containing sociodemographic information and risk behavior for contracting HIV. Next, a 10ml peripheral blood sample was drawn for an anti-HIV test using the ELISA method. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS statistical package, version 21.0. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee.

Results: The participants were 402 female sex workers. Their mean age was 30.5 years (SD=9.2; min = 18; Max= 64). Most women referred not having a steady partner (63.4%), and three to six years of schooling (67.2%). Regarding their sexual behavior, 57.7% had their first intercourse before the age of 15; 16.9% reported a history of sexually transmitted infections, with warts being the most commonly cited. The number of sexual partners per week ranged from one to over 20, with a mean 2.4 (SD=1.8). A total of 122 (30.3%) sex workers were unaware of the signs and symptoms of these infections; 380 (94.5%) women agreed to provide a blood sample, of whom 2.4% tested positive for anti-HIV.

Conclusions: The high prevalence of HIV, added to the multiplicity of sex partners and the women’s poor knowledge regarding sexually transmitted infections reveal the vulnerability of these women to HIV. Knowledge on HIV epidemiology among populations of difficult access such as sex workers is essential to plan effective prevention and control programs in regions were the epidemics is concentrated, as in Brazil.

TP166 Prevalence of HIV Infection in Sex Workers in a Capital City of Northeast Brazil