HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in Moscow (Russia): prevalence and associated risk factors

Abstract

To estimate the prevalence and factors associated with HIV and five other STIs among outdoor female sex workers (OSFW) and indoor FSW (IFSW).MethodsCross-sectional survey using respondent-driven sampling methodology. Participants answered a bio-behavioural questionnaire and were tested for Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), syphilis (lifetime contact) and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG). Weighted HIV and other STIs prevalence and 95% CIs were calculated. Weighted multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with having at least one STI (including HIV).ResultsBetween October 2017 and July 2018, 385 FSW participants were recruited, among whom 206 (53.5%) were IFSW and 179 (46.5%) were OFSW. The mean age was 31.4 years. Weighted HIV prevalence was 3.1% (95% CI 1.5 to 7.0). Weighted prevalence of other STIs was: 4.1% (95% CI 2.2 to 8.0) for NG, 8.8% (95% CI 5.9 to 13.0) for CT, 12.7% (95% CI 8.6 to 18.0) for TV, 13.9% (95% CI 9.9 to 19.0) for syphilis (lifetime contact) and 14.9% (95% CI 10.5 to 21.0) for MG. STI prevalence was significantly higher among OFSW for CT, TV and MG (p<0.001). In total, 43.2% of the participants had at least one HIV/STI. Factors associated with having HIV/STI were being an OFSW (OR 3.29; 95% CI 1.72 to 6.27); being registered in another Russian region (2.61 (95% CI 1.05 to 6.48)); having never been tested for HIV (2.51 (95% CI 0.98 to 6.41)) and having a low level of knowledge regarding HIV transmission (4.88 (95% CI 0.96 to 24.78)).ConclusionPrevalence of HIV and STIs was high among FSW in Moscow. OFSW were more vulnerable to STIs. There is an urgent need to tailor programmes for sexual and reproductive health for FSW in Russia.

High Lifetime Prevalence of Syphilis in Men Who Have Sex With Men and Transgender Women Versus Low Lifetime Prevalence in Female Sex Workers in Lima, Peru

“…Compared with female sex workers in other countries, the lifetime prevalence of syphilis among the female sex workers in our study (3.4%) is lower than what has been reported in female sex workers in Moscow (13.9%) 22 and in female prisoners who report having ever received money for sex in Brazil (12.5%). 23 Our findings were higher than a study of female sex workers in Iran (0.4%).…”

“… 23 Our findings were higher than a study of female sex workers in Iran (0.4%). 24 Notably, none of the female sex workers in our population were infected with HIV while HIV prevalence was reported in Moscow (3.1%) 22 and Iran (2.1%). 24 Past studies in Peru corroborate this low incidence of syphilis infection.…”

Molecular epidemiology and antimicrobials resistance mechanism of Mycoplasma genitlaium

“…В Российской Федерации количество исследований по распространенности инфекций, вызванных M. genitalium, в настоящее время малочисленно. При проведении исследования среди работниц коммерческого секса распространенность M. genitalium-инфекций составила 14,9% [25]. Согласно исследованию Романовой и соавт.…”

Magnitude and Determinants of Syphilis and HIV Co-Infection Among Female Sex Workers in Ethiopia: Evidence from Respondent Driven Samples, 2019–2020

“…Factors associated with HIV-STIs coinfection were having never been tested for HIV and having a low level of knowledge regarding HIV transmission, showed 2-fold and 5-fold increases, respectively, compared with the control group. 8 Over the last two decades, Ethiopia has been one of the hardest hit countries by the HIV epidemic in Africa. The HIV epidemic remains one of the major public health challenges in Ethiopia, causing significant morbidity and mortality since the mid-1980s.…”