Community-Based Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening and Increased Detection of Pharyngeal and Urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infections in Female Sex Workers in Hong Kong. Issue 4 (April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wong, Horas T.H.; Lee, Krystal C.K.; Chan, Denise P.C.
• Is Part Of: Sexually transmitted diseases. Volume 42:Issue 4(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-04
• Subjects: Sexually transmitted diseases -- Periodicals; Sexual health -- Periodicals; 616.951005
• DOI: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000257
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0148-5717

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title>Background</title> <p>Female sex workers (FSWs) are vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and are one of the key populations being infected most by <italic>Chlamydia trachomatis</italic> and <italic>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</italic> infections. In Hong Kong, limited data on the burden of chlamydial and gonococcal infections exist because regular screenings are not offered. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of <italic>C. trachomatis</italic> and <italic>N. gonorrhoeae</italic> in FSWs and to assess predictors associated with unprotected fellatio.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Methods</title> <p>A cross-sectional study was conduct on 340 FSWs attending a community organization for HIV/STI screening, and a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics was administered to all FSWs.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Results</title> <p>The prevalence of syphilis infection was 2.1%, and none was tested positive for HIV. The positivity for pharyngeal <italic>C. trachomatis</italic> and <italic>N. gonorrhoeae</italic> was 3.2% and 4.4%, respectively, whereas that for urogenital chlamydial and gonococcal infection was 10.6% and 0.9%, respectively. Of 313 FSWs offering fellatio, having unprotected fellatio with clients was significantly associated with the perceived low risk of contracting STI via fellatio (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.88), working in clubs (adjusted OR, 11.14), working on streets (adjusted OR, 3.28), recently started working in the sex industry for 1 year or less (adjusted OR, 3.05), and reporting group sex in the previous year (adjusted OR, 11.03).</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>The prevalence of HIV and syphilis infection remains low. This study reveals a relatively high prevalence of <italic>N. gonorrhoeae</italic> detected mostly in the pharynx. Offering pharyngeal screening for STI would facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of gonococcal infection in FSWs in Hong Kong.</p> </sec> </abstract>