RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: While men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by Peru's overlapping HIV and STI epidemics, there are few data on how partnership-level and network-level factors affect STI transmission in Peru. We explored partnership-level and network-level factors associated with gonorrhoea/chlamydia (Neisseria gonorrhoeae and/or Chlamydia trachomatis (NG/CT)) and/or syphilis infection among MSM in Peru. METHODS: We present the results of a cross-sectional secondary analysis of MSM (n=898) tested for syphilis and NG/CT infection as part of the screening process for two STI control trials in Lima, Peru. Participants completed questionnaires on demographics, sexual identity and role, characteristics of their three most recent sexual partners (partner sexual orientation, gender, role, partnership type, partner-specific sexual acts) and 30-day sexual network characteristics (number of sexual partners, partnership types, frequency of anal/vaginal intercourse). Participants were tested for syphilis and urethral, rectal and oropharyngeal NG/CT. Differences in network characteristics were analysed with χ2 and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: Approximately 38.9% of participants had a new STI diagnosis (syphilis (rapid plasma reagin ≥16): 10.6%; NG/CT: 22.9%; syphilis-NG/CT coinfection: 5.4%). Condomless anal intercourse (CAI) was not significantly associated with an STI diagnosis. Gay-identified participants with exclusively homosexual networks had a higher prevalence of STIs (47.4%) than gay-identified MSM with only heterosexual/bisexual partners (34.6%, p=0.04), despite reporting fewer sexual partners (any partners: 2, 1-4 vs 3, 2-6; p=0.001; casual partners: 1, 0-3 vs 2, 1-4; p=0.001) and more stable partnerships (1, 0-1 vs 0, 0-1; p=0.003) in the last month. CONCLUSIONS: Network size and the number of casual sexual partners were associated with NG/CT infection among MSM in Peru. Despite reporting fewer sexual risk behaviours (smaller network size, more stable partnerships, less CAI), MSM with homosexual-only sexual networks had a higher prevalence of NG/CT and syphilis. These findings suggest network composition among MSM in Peru plays an important role in the risk for STI acquisition.
Assuntos
Infecções por Chlamydia/epidemiologia , Gonorreia/epidemiologia , Minorias Sexuais e de Gênero/estatística & dados numéricos , Sífilis/epidemiologia , Adulto , Infecções por Chlamydia/diagnóstico , Infecções por Chlamydia/prevenção & controle , Infecções por Chlamydia/psicologia , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Gonorreia/diagnóstico , Gonorreia/prevenção & controle , Gonorreia/psicologia , Homossexualidade Masculina , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Peru/epidemiologia , Profissionais do Sexo/estatística & dados numéricos , Comportamento Sexual , Parceiros Sexuais , Sífilis/diagnóstico , Sífilis/prevenção & controle , Sífilis/psicologia , Adulto JovemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of selected sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and the level of knowledge and attitudes regarding HIV/AIDS among Turkish brothel based sex-workers (SWs). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A pre-designed questionnaire was administered to 199 SWs to obtain their sexual behaviours and their level of knowledge of HIV/AIDS. The specimens collected for C trachomatis/N gonorrhoeae and human papillomavirus (HPV) were tested using Gen-Probe PACE 2 and HPV-screening assays, respectively. RESULTS: Aproximatelly sixty-seven per cent of the SWs knew that condoms afforded protection against HIV/AIDS and 62% reported continued use of condoms. Although most of the SWs had heard about HIV/AIDS, thorough knowledge of transmission and prevention was lacking. The overall estimated rates for C trachomatis/N gonorrhoeae and HPV were 18.6% and 9.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: There is a need for further studies to generate more data on the prevalence of STDs and the knowledge of STDs in this population.
ANTECEDENTES: El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la pevalencia de las enfermedades de trasmisión sexual (ETS) seleccionadas, y el nivel de conocimientos y actitudes en relación con el VIH/SIDA entre las trabajadoras sexuales (TS) en burdeles turcos. SUJETOS Y MÉTODOS: Se aplicó un cuestionario prediseñado a 199 trabajadoras sexuales a fin de revelar sus comportamientos sexuales y su nivel de conocimientos acerca del VIH/SIDA. Las muestras de C trachomatis/N gonorrhoeae y virus del papiloma humano (VPH) recogidas, fueron analizadas mediante la sonda genética conocida como Gen-Probe PACE 2 y ensayos de pesquisaje de VPH, respectivamente. RESULTADO: Aproximadamente sesenta y siete por ciento de las TS sabían que los condones daban protección contra el VIH/SIDA, y el 62% reportó uso continuado de condones. Aunque la mayor parte de las TS habían oído acerca del VIH/SIDA, les faltaban conocimientos cabales sobre la trasmisión y prevención de ETS. Las tasas generales estimadas de C trachomatis/N gonorrhoeae y VPH fueron 18.6% y 9.7%, respectivamente. CONCLUSIÓN: Es necesario realizar estudios ulteriores a fin de generar más datos acerca de la prevalencia de las ETS y los conocimientos acerca de ellas en esta población.
Assuntos
Adulto , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Infecções por Chlamydia/epidemiologia , Chlamydia trachomatis , Gonorreia/epidemiologia , Infecções por HIV/psicologia , Infecções por Papillomavirus/epidemiologia , Trabalho Sexual , Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida/epidemiologia , Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida/psicologia , Infecções por Chlamydia/psicologia , Gonorreia/psicologia , Infecções por HIV/epidemiologia , Comportamentos Relacionados com a Saúde , Educação em Saúde , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Infecções por Papillomavirus/psicologia , Prevalência , Inquéritos e Questionários , Medição de Risco , Fatores de Risco , Assunção de Riscos , Turquia/epidemiologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of selected sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and the level of knowledge and attitudes regarding HIV/AIDS among Turkish brothel based sex-workers (SWs). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A pre-designed questionnaire was administered to 199 SWs to obtain their sexual behaviours and their level of knowledge of HIV/AIDS. The specimens collected for C trachomatis/N gonorrhoeae and human papillomavirus (HPV) were tested using Gen-Probe PACE 2 and HPV-screening assays, respectively. RESULT: Aproximately sixty-seven per cent of the SWs knew that condoms afforded protection against HIV/AIDS and 62% reported continued use of condoms. Although most of the SWs had heard about HIV/AIDS, thorough knowledge of transmission and prevention was lacking. The overall estimated rates for C trachomatis/N gonorrhoeae and HPV were 18.6% and 9.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: There is a need for further studies to generate more data on the prevalence of STDs and the knowledge of STDs in this population.