AEGiS-13IAC: Epidemiological profile, HIV incidence, and retention rates in a cohort of female sex workers in Honduras: preliminary results.

13th International AIDS Conference

Durban, South Africa - July 9-July 14, 2000

Epidemiological profile, HIV incidence, and retention rates in a cohort of female sex workers in Honduras: preliminary results.

Int Conf AIDS 2000 Jul 9-14; 13:(abstract no. ThOrC676)

Soto R, Epinoza I, Meza R, Aldana N, Sevilla A, Guillen A, Jimenez S, Baum M, Amador N
R. Soto, Programa Nacinal De Sida, Calle Peatonal, Edificio Galves Barnes, 20 Piso, Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Tel.: +504 237 3155, Fax: +504 237 3174, E-mail: divsida@ns.paho-who.hn

BACKGROUND: To determine HIV-1 seroincidence, biological, and behavioral risk factors associated with HIV-1 transmission, and the retention rate in a cohort of female sex workers (FSW); to build the local capacity to implement HIV prevention trials.

METHODS: FSW who met eligibility criteria and signed informed consents were enrolled in a fixed cohort study. Women were recruited from Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula cities attending two public STD clinics and two NGO prevention projects. Risk behavior questionnaire, clinical assessment, test for some STI, medical history and examination including collection of blood and genital specimens were performed at each visit.

RESULTS: The mean level of education was 4.4 school years and 17% were illiterate. Thirty-two percent of FSW were working in the street. Baseline prevalence of STI were: 7.7% HIV-1, 31.3% Hepatitis B anticore, 13.9% RPR reactive and 4.3% gonorrhea. The mean age at first coitus was 15 years. The median number of clients per week was 10, with whom 95% of FSW claimed to have used condom consistently during the last 12 months. Only 6% used condom with their stable sexual partners (51% of FSW had a steady partner). About 20% and 14% practiced anal sex with stable partner and clients, respectively. Vaginal discharge (37.3%) was the most prevalent syndrome reported during the last 12 months. By December 1999, the overall incidence of HIV-1 was 2.07/100 person-years (PY). The cohorts in Tegucigalpa (53% of all participants), had a higher overall incidence rate (3.2/100 PY) as compared to those from San Pedro Sula (0.75/100 PY). The overall retention rates after baseline were: at 3-4 months (307/321, 96%) at 6-7 months (292/307, 95%) and at 9-10 months (261/292, 89%).

CONCLUSIONS: The relatively high prevalence of HIV-1 incidence among the Tegucigalpa FSW along with the acceptable retention rates for each visit indicate that this cohort is suitable for HIV prevention intervention trials. This work was supported by NIH Fogarty International Center (5D43TW00017 MKB) and UNAIDS (HQ/98/0012970 MKB).

Keywords: AEGIS, Incidence, HIV Infections, HIV Seropositivity, Prevalence, Condoms, Sex Behavior, HIV-1, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Sexual Partners, Risk-Taking, Risk Factors, Cohort Studies, Gonorrhea, Vaginal Discharge, Honduras, Human, Female, epidemiology
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