Abstract

TRUJILLO, Luis, MUNOZ, Dany, GOTUZZO, Eduardo et al. Sexual practices and seroprevalence of infection by HIV, HTLV-1 and syphilis in clandestine prostitutes in Lima. Rev Med Hered, Oct. 1996, vol.7, no.4, p.162-171. ISSN 1018-130X.

Objetive: To investigate the prevalence of sexual practices with risk to sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and the seroprevalence of HIV-1, HTLV-1 and syphilis in non-registered prostitutes in Lima. Material and methods: A transversal, descriptive and non-registered prostitutes in Lima between March and June of 1994. Results: All serum samples were negative for HIV-1, but two samples had indeterminate results (positive ELISA and WB p24 band present). Six (3.8%), were HTLV-1 positive (CI 95%, 1.4-8.1) and 5 VDRL reactives (CI 95%, 1.7-7.3). Regular condom use was found in 75%, but only 3% with permanent partners. Sexual practices with risk were: annal sex 7.9%, sex during menstrual bleeding 37%, oral sex 93% and sex with genital ulcer carrier 19%. STD antecedent in the last 5 years was found in 25%, gonorrhea was most frequent. Conclusions: High regular condom use and low retroviral infections and syphilis were found in non-registered female prostitutes in Lima. (Rev Med Hered 1996; 7: 162-171).

Keywords: HIV; HTLV-1; syphilis; condom use; prostitutes.