Prevalence of syphilis and chlamydia trachomatis infection among female sex workers in Jiangsu, China: Results from a multicenter cross-sectional and venue-based study

Abstract

BackgroundFemale sex workers (FSWs) are considered highly vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), but available data on the prevalence of STIs among FSWs in China is limited at a provincial level. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of STIs and risk factors among FSWs in Jiangsu, China.MethodsWe conducted a multicenter cross-sectional study in seven cities of Jiangsu to investigate the prevalence and risk factors associated with HIV and other STIs. Blood and urine were collected to test for HIV, syphilis, Hepatitis C (HCV), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections.ResultsWe enrolled 3,580 FSWs. The overall prevalence of bacterial STIs was 6.2% (5.4%−7.0%). The prevalence of HIV, syphilis infection, HCV, NG and CT were 0.1% (95%CI, 0.0–0.2), 1.8% (95%CI, 1.4–2.3), 0.3% (95%CI, 0.1–0.5), 0.3% (95%CI, 0.2–0.5) and 4.3% (95%CI, 3.6–5.0), respectively. Most FSWs (85.6%) reported consistent condom use with clients in the past month. Only 10.6% of FSWs reported group sex, and 68.3% self–reported HIV testing in the previous year. According to the multivariable model, having group sex in the past year (aOR, 2.521, 95%CI: 1.366–4.651) and HIV infection (aOR, 26.260, 95%CI: 2.432–283.563) were associated with a higher risk of syphilis infection. Migrants (aOR, 1.669, 95%CI: 1.163–2.395), having a history of STIs in the past year (aOR, 4.601, 95%CI: 1.003–21.118), and NG infection (aOR, 38.549, 95%CI: 11.214–132.514) were associated with a higher risk of CT infection. On the contrary, FSWs aged older than 25 were associated with lower risk of syphilis infection (25–34: aOR, 0.339, 95%CI: 0.151–0.763) and CT infection (25–34: aOR, 0.503, 95%CI: 0.316–0.802; ≥35: aOR, 0.578, 95%CI: 0.362–0.925).ConclusionThis study's prevalence rates of syphilis and CT infections show the need to promote comprehensive STIs control and prevention strategies, including behavioral intervention and STIs screening, especially in younger high–risk populations. With the increasing coverage of HIV testing, integrating other STIs screening with HIV testing may be a reasonable way to implement comprehensive STIs control and prevention.

“I Use Strawberry Flavoured Condoms during My Periods”: Safe Sex Practices and STI Screening Behaviours among Female Sex Workers in Gulu City, Uganda

“…These findings align with results from studies conducted in Iran, China and Uganda where only 57.8%, 68.3% and 56% of FSWs had tested for HIV [15][16][17]. Furthermore, in Canada, approximately 57.9% of FSWs tested for HIV and /or STIs with 45.5% and 44.9% of FSWs reported HIV and STI testing respectively and only 32.6% reported screening for both [18].…”

Development of a DNA-Based Lateral Flow Strip Membrane Assay for Rapid Screening and Genotyping of Six High-Incidence STD Pathogens

“…Among the various STD pathogens, Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU), Mycoplasma hominis (MH), and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) pose a significant challenge due to their high prevalence in STDs [20][21][22][23][24]. The coinfection of these pathogens is also well-known [25,26].…”