RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of selected sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and the level of knowledge and attitudes regarding HIV/AIDS among Turkish brothel based sex-workers (SWs). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A pre-designed questionnaire was administered to 199 SWs to obtain their sexual behaviours and their level of knowledge of HIV/AIDS. The specimens collected for C trachomatis/N gonorrhoeae and human papillomavirus (HPV) were tested using Gen-Probe PACE 2 and HPV-screening assays, respectively. RESULT: Aproximately sixty-seven per cent of the SWs knew that condoms afforded protection against HIV/AIDS and 62% reported continued use of condoms. Although most of the SWs had heard about HIV/AIDS, thorough knowledge of transmission and prevention was lacking. The overall estimated rates for C trachomatis/N gonorrhoeae and HPV were 18.6% and 9.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: There is a need for further studies to generate more data on the prevalence of STDs and the knowledge of STDs in this population.
Assuntos
Infecções por Chlamydia/epidemiologia , Chlamydia trachomatis , Gonorreia/epidemiologia , Infecções por HIV/psicologia , Infecções por Papillomavirus/epidemiologia , Trabalho Sexual , Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida/epidemiologia , Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida/psicologia , Adulto , Infecções por Chlamydia/psicologia , Feminino , Gonorreia/psicologia , Infecções por HIV/epidemiologia , Comportamentos Relacionados com a Saúde , Educação em Saúde , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Infecções por Papillomavirus/psicologia , Prevalência , Medição de Risco , Fatores de Risco , Assunção de Riscos , Inquéritos e Questionários , Turquia/epidemiologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of selected sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and the level of knowledge and attitudes regarding HIV/AIDS among Turkish brothel based sex-workers (SWs). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A pre-designed questionnaire was administered to 199 SWs to obtain their sexual behaviours and their level of knowledge of HIV/AIDS. The specimens collected for C trachomatis/N gonorrhoeae and human papillomavirus (HPV) were tested using Gen-Probe PACE 2 and HPV-screening assays, respectively. RESULTS: Aproximatelly sixty-seven per cent of the SWs knew that condoms afforded protection against HIV/AIDS and 62% reported continued use of condoms. Although most of the SWs had heard about HIV/AIDS, thorough knowledge of transmission and prevention was lacking. The overall estimated rates for C trachomatis/N gonorrhoeae and HPV were 18.6% and 9.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: There is a need for further studies to generate more data on the prevalence of STDs and the knowledge of STDs in this population.
ANTECEDENTES: El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la pevalencia de las enfermedades de trasmisión sexual (ETS) seleccionadas, y el nivel de conocimientos y actitudes en relación con el VIH/SIDA entre las trabajadoras sexuales (TS) en burdeles turcos. SUJETOS Y MÉTODOS: Se aplicó un cuestionario prediseñado a 199 trabajadoras sexuales a fin de revelar sus comportamientos sexuales y su nivel de conocimientos acerca del VIH/SIDA. Las muestras de C trachomatis/N gonorrhoeae y virus del papiloma humano (VPH) recogidas, fueron analizadas mediante la sonda genética conocida como Gen-Probe PACE 2 y ensayos de pesquisaje de VPH, respectivamente. RESULTADO: Aproximadamente sesenta y siete por ciento de las TS sabían que los condones daban protección contra el VIH/SIDA, y el 62% reportó uso continuado de condones. Aunque la mayor parte de las TS habían oído acerca del VIH/SIDA, les faltaban conocimientos cabales sobre la trasmisión y prevención de ETS. Las tasas generales estimadas de C trachomatis/N gonorrhoeae y VPH fueron 18.6% y 9.7%, respectivamente. CONCLUSIÓN: Es necesario realizar estudios ulteriores a fin de generar más datos acerca de la prevalencia de las ETS y los conocimientos acerca de ellas en esta población.