Title
Assessment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and risk practices among female commercial sex workers in Isla Margarita, Venezuela
Date Issued
01 January 2006
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Munoz B.
Pacheco M.E.
Aponte C.
Michini A.
Taibo M.E.
Pinto B.
Chauca G.
Negrete M.
Russell K.L.
Sanchez J.L.
U.S. Naval Medical Research Center Detachment
Publisher(s)
Association of Military Surgeons of the US
Abstract
Sexual transmission represents the principal mode of transmission for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) worldwide. We examined the HIV-1 seroprevalence and risk factors for infection among 613 female commercial sex workers (FCSW) in Isla Margarita, Venezuela. Recruitment was conducted in street venues and working locations. None of the FCSW tested positive for HIV; this correlated with the low self-reported rates of sexually transmitted infections (6%), drug use (<20%), and alcohol abuse (12%). Condom use and safe-sex practices were found to be practiced regularly (>80% of time) with clients; however, such practices were found to be very uncommon in nonclient relations (<20% of the time). Understanding the sexual risk behaviors, beliefs, and drug use patterns of FCSW is important for future development of effective public prevention policies and educational campaigns aimed at decreasing the risk of infection with HTV-1 and other sexually transmitted infections among FCSW.
Start page
1
End page
6
Volume
171
Issue
1
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Salud pública, Salud ambiental
Inmunología
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-32944462853
PubMed ID
Source
Military Medicine
ISSN of the container
00264075
Sources of information:
Directorio de Producción Científica
Scopus