HIV infection among lower socioeconomic strata prostitutes in Nairobi

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A cohort of 418 lower socioeconomic strata prostitutes were enrolled in a study of the epidemiology of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) between January and April 1985. Sixty-two per cent of the women were seropositive for HIV infection at enrollment. Significant associations were found between HIV seropositivity and Tanzanian origin (OR = 2.12, Cl 95% = 1.18–3.81, P < 0.03), younger age, a shorter duration of prostitution, reduced fecundity, use of oral contraceptives (OR = 1.8, Cl 95% = 1.1–2.9, P < 0.05) and genital ulcer disease (OR = 3.32, P < 0.00001). No associations were noted with other STD. Stepwise logistic regression analysis confirmed independent associations between HIV infection and Tanzanian origin (OR = 2.27, Cl 95% = 1.25–4.14, P < 0.007), reduced fecundity (OR = 0.83, Cl 95% = 0.74–0.94, P < 0.003), oral contraceptive use (OR = 2.02, Cl 95% = 1.22–3.35, P < 0.006) and duration of prostitution (OR = 0.39, Cl 95% = 0.23–0.65, P < 0.004). Oral contraceptives may increase susceptibility to HIV or may be a marker for other factors which increase risk of acquisition. Further studies are necessary to confirm this association.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: