Associations between migrant status and sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in Tijuana, Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: To examine associations between migration and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence among Mexican female sex workers (FSW). METHODS: FSW aged 18 years and older in Tijuana, Baja California (BC) underwent interviews and testing for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia. Multivariate logistic regressions identified correlates of STI. RESULTS: Of 471 FSW, 79% were migrants to BC. Among migrant FSW, prevalence of HIV, syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia and any STI was 6.6%, 13.2%, 7.8%, 16.3% and 31.1% compared with 10.9%, 18.2%, 13.0%, 19.0% and 42.4% among FSW born in BC. A greater proportion of migrant FSW were registered with local health services and were ever tested for HIV. Migrant status was protective for any STI in unadjusted models (unadjusted odds ratio 0.61, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.97). In multivariate models controlling for confounders, migrant status was not associated with an elevated odds of STI acquisition and trended towards a protective association. CONCLUSIONS: Unexpectedly, migrant status (vs native-born status) appeared protective for any STI acquisition. It is unclear which social or economic conditions may protect against STI and whether these erode over time in migrants. Additional research is needed to inform our understanding of whether or how geography, variations in health capital, or social network composition and information-sharing attributes can contribute to health protective behaviours in migrant FSW. By capitalising on such mechanisms, efforts to preserve protective health behaviours in migrant FSW will help control STI in the population and may lead to the identification of strategies that are generalisable to other FSW.

High prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection among injection drug users in Tijuana, Mexico.

BACKGROUND: We studied prevalence and correlates of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among injection drug users (IDUs) in Tijuana, Mexico, where tuberculosis (TB) is endemic. METHODS: IDUs aged > or =18 years were recruited via respondent-driven sampling (RDS) and underwent standardized interviews, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody testing and LTBI screening using Quanti-FERON((R))-TB Gold In-Tube, a whole-blood interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA). LTBI prevalence was estimated and correlates were identified using RDS-weighted logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 1020 IDUs, 681 (67%) tested IGRA-positive and 44 (4%) tested HIV-positive. Mean age was 37 years, 88% were male and 98% were Mexican-born. IGRA positivity was associated with recruitment nearest the US border (aOR 1.64, 95%CI 1.09-2.48), increasing years of injection (aOR 1.20/5 years, 95%CI 1.07-1.34), and years lived in Tijuana (aOR 1.10/5 years, 95%CI 1.03-1.18). Speaking some English (aOR 0.38, 95%CI 0.25-0.57) and injecting most often at home in the past 6 months (aOR 0.68, 95%CI 0.45-0.99) were inversely associated with IGRA positivity. DISCUSSION: Increased LTBI prevalence among IDUs in Tijuana appears to be associated with greater drug involvement. Given the high risk for HIV infection among Tijuana's IDUs, interventions are urgently needed to prevent HIV infection and treat LTBI among IDUs before these epidemics collide.

Prevalence of primary HIV-1 drug resistance in pregnant women and in newly diagnosed adults at Tijuana General Hospital, Baja California, Mexico.

At Tijuana General Hospital, between March 2003 and June 2005, pregnant women and other adults, recently identified as HIV infected, antiretroviral naïve, were enrolled to examine the prevalence of primary HIV drug resistance. All subjects had the Calypte HIV-1 BED Incidence enzyme immunoassay test to identify recent infection. Genotypic analysis of HIV-1 protease and reverse transcriptase regions in plasma was performed. Forty-six subjects participated, eight (17%) men, 38 (83%) women. Ten (22%) subjects were classified as having recent HIV infection. HIV genotype was performed in 41 subjects. One subject (2.5%) had a major mutation in the reverse transcriptase region (K219Q) conferring zidovudine resistance, one had a minor mutation at V118I (2.5%) and two subjects (5%) had minor mutation (V179D) associated with non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor resistance. There were no major protease inhibitor-associated mutations but minor mutations were common. The prevalence of primary HIV drug resistance in Baja California is low.

The longitudinal association of venue stability with consistent condom use among female sex workers in two Mexico-USA border cities.

We examined the relationship between venue stability and consistent condom use (CCU) among female sex workers who inject drugs (FSW-IDUs; n = 584) and were enrolled in a behavioural intervention in two Mexico-USA border cities. Using a generalized estimating equation approach stratified by client type and city, we found venue stability affected CCU. In Tijuana, operating primarily indoors was significantly associated with a four-fold increase in the odds of CCU among regular clients (odds ratio [OR]: 3.77, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.44, 9.89), and a seven-fold increase among casual clients (OR: 7.18, 95% CI: 2.32, 22.21), relative to FSW-IDUs spending equal time between indoor and outdoor sex work venues. In Ciudad Juarez, the trajectory of CCU increased over time and was highest among those operating primarily indoors. Results from this analysis highlight the importance of considering local mobility, including venue type and venue stability, as these characteristics jointly influence HIV risk behaviours.

Condom use among female sex workers and their non-commercial partners: effects of a sexual risk intervention in two Mexican cities.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether a brief behavioural intervention promoting condom use among female sex workers (FSWs) and their clients had the added benefit of increasing condom use among FSWs and their steady, non-commercial partners (e.g. husbands, boyfriends). Participants were 362 FSWs, aged ≥18 years, living in Tijuana or Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, who received a behavioural intervention to promote condom use with clients. Repeated-measures negative binomial regression was used to assess FSWs' condom use with steady partners versus clients across time. Results showed that FSWs engaged in unprotected sex with steady partners more than with their clients, and that the intervention changed FSWs' condom use with clients but not their steady partners. HIV-prevention interventions for FSWs should promote consistent condom use across partner type. Targeting couples rather than individuals may also be necessary.

Risk factors associated with chlamydia and gonorrhoea infection among female sex workers in two Mexico-USA border cities.

Female sex workers (FSWs) aged ≥18 years without known HIV infection living in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico who had recent unprotected sex with clients underwent interviews and testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea using nucleic acid amplification. Correlates of each infection were identified with logistic regression. Among 798 FSWs, prevalence of chlamydia and gonorrhoea was 13.0% and 6.4%, respectively. Factors independently associated with chlamydia were younger age, working in Tijuana versus Ciudad Juarez and recent methamphetamine injection. Factors independently associated with gonorrhoea were working in Tijuana versus Ciudad Juarez, using illegal drugs before or during sex, and having a recent male partner who injects drugs. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea infection were more closely associated with FSWs' drug use behaviours and that of their sexual partners than with sexual behaviours. Prevention should focus on subgroups of FSWs and their partners who use methamphetamine and who inject drugs.

Factores de riesgo para alteraciones de la densidad mineral ósea en mujeres posmenopáusicas / Risk factors for alterations in bone mineral density in postmenopausal women

OBJETIVO: Determinar los factores de riesgo para presentar alteraciones de la densidad mineral ósea (DMO) en mujeres posmenopáusicas atendidas en la consulta de Menopausia y Climaterio de la Maternidad "Dr. Armando Castillo Plaza", de Maracaibo, Venezuela. MÉTODOS: Investigación descriptiva, con diseño no experimental y transeccional, donde se evaluó la DMO y los factores de riesgo para presentar osteoporosis en 60 mujeres posmenopáusicas. RESULTADOS: La medición de la DMO resultó en promedio de 957,45 ± 149,95 y 905,00 ± 151,25 gramos, con índices T de -0,52 ± 1,66 y -0,55 ± 2,67 en columna vertebral y cuello femoral, respectivamente. Se estableció una prevalencia de osteoporosis del 10% y 5%, y de osteopenia del 43,3% y 50% en columna vertebral y fémur, respectivamente. La menopausia quirúrgica (OR [95% CI] = 4,75 [1,58-14,25]; p=0,004), el consumo excesivo de café (OR [95% CI] = 3,20 [1,40-7,10 1]; p=0,000) o gaseosas (OR [95% CI] = 2,50 [1,18-5,60]; p=0,002), tabaquismo (OR [95% CI] = 1,70 [1,102,80]; p=0,013) y la ausencia de suplementación de calcio más vitamina D (OR [95% CI] = 1,70 [1,00-2,80]; p=0,019) resultaron ser factores significativamente asociados al diagnóstico de osteoporosis u osteopenia (p<0,05). CONCLUSIÓN: Las mujeres posmenopáusicas evaluadas presentan una alta prevalencia de alteraciones en la DMO, principalmente osteopenia, y factores de riesgo para presentar Osteoporosis.

AIM: To determine risk factors for presenting alterations in bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women attending the consultation of Menopause and Menopause Maternity "Dr. Armando Castillo Plaza", Maracaibo, Venezuela. METHODS: A descriptive research with non-experimental and transactional design where was evaluated BMD and risk factors for developing osteoporosis in 60 postmenopausal women. RESULTS: The BMD measurement was averaged in 957.45 ± 149.95 and 905.00 ± 151.25 grams; with T indexes of -0.52 ± 1.66 and -0.55 ± 2.67 in spine and femoral neck, respectively. The prevalence of osteoporosis was 10% and 5%, while osteopenia was 43.3% and 50% in spine and femur, respectively. Surgical menopause (OR [95% CI] = 4.75 [1.58 to 14.25]; p=0.004); excessive coffee consumption (OR [95% CI] = 3.20 [1,40- 7.10 1]; p=0.000) or gaseous beverages (OR [95% CI] = 2.50 [1.18 to 5.60]; p=0.002); smoking (OR [95% CI] = 1.70 [1.10 to 2.80]; p=0.013) and the absence of supplemental calcium plus vitamin D (OR [95% CI] = 1.70 [1.00 to 2.80]; p=0.019) were be factors significantly associated with the diagnosis of osteoporosis or osteopenia (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The evaluated postmenopausal women have a high prevalence of abnormal BMD, especially osteopenia, and risk factors for developing osteoporosis.

Deportation along the U.S.-Mexico border: its relation to drug use patterns and accessing care.

Since migration has been linked to new drug trends and risky behaviors, and deported individuals face unique economic and social stressors, we investigated behaviors of injection drug users (IDUs) from Tijuana, Mexico in relation to deportation history. In 2005, IDUs > or =18 years old who injected within the prior month were recruited by respondent-driven sampling, administered a questionnaire, and underwent antibody testing for HIV, HCV, and syphilis. Logistic regression compared IDUs who reported coming to Tijuana due to deportation from the U.S. versus others in the study. Of 219 participants, 16% were deportees. Prevalence of HIV, HCV and syphilis was 3, 95 and 13%, respectively. Deportees had lived in Tijuana for a shorter time (median: 2 vs. 16 years), were more likely to inject multiple times/day (OR: 5.52; 95%CI: 1.62-18.8), but less likely to have smoked/inhaled methamphetamine (OR: 0.17; 95%CI: 0.17-0.86). Deportation history was inversely associated with receiving drug treatment (OR: 0.41; 95%CI: 0.19-0.89), recent medical care (OR: 0.37; 95%CI: 0.13-1.00), or HIV testing (OR: 0.44; 95%CI: 0.19-1.02). Deportees had different drug use patterns and less interaction with public health services than other study participants. Our study is an indication that migration history might relate to current risk behaviors and access to health care. More in-depth studies to determine factors driving such behaviors are needed.