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PubMed1992

Substance use/misuse among female prostitutes and female arrestees.

The literature has documented the correlation between prostitution and drug use/misuse. This study probed demographics, drug use experimentation and frequency, age of first drug use, and drug use treatment among 53 female prostitutes and 47 female arrestees. The results indicated that: 1) prostitutes were likely to drop out of school; 2) significantly more prostitutes had tried drugs, had used drugs with greater frequency and had begun drug/alcohol use at younger ages. These results imply that: 1) early drug/alcohol use and withdrawal from school could leave young women vulnerable and at higher risk of becoming involved in prostitution; and 2) drug use treatment and intervention needs to begin at younger ages.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[The origins of the regulation of prostitution in contemporary Spain from Cabarrús's proposal (1792) to the Madrid Regulations (1847)].

The publication in 1847 of the Reglamento para la represión de los excesos de la prostitución en Madrid (Regulations for the repression of the excesses of prostitution in Madrid) inaugurated an era of regulated prostitution in Spain, which followed upon a period of abolitionism decreed by Philip IV. In view of the spread of prostitution and venereal diseases, police measures, and especially medical measures were both considered in the development of these regulations, which had first been proposed by the Count of Cabarrús in 1792. Allthough completely confidential, the new system of regulations, drawn up in 1847, set the stage for the wide-reaching regulation of prostitution that came into effect in several cities in Spain during and after the mid-nineteenth century, and which included city residence and periodic health surveillance for prostitutes.

History, 18th Century↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The spread of human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV-1/HIV-2) and of hepatitis B and C in non-drug-addicted prostitutes. Extremadura].

BACKGROUND: The proportion of cases of AIDS in Extremadura, in which sexual transmission has existed, is comparatively lower than the national one. The possibilities of the infection introduction in the general population may increase the relative importance of this way of transmission in the future. Penetration of HIV is unknown in prostitutes living and working in the Autonomous Community of Extremadura, as a collective associated to virus sexual transmission and to other socio-cultural risk factors involved. METHODS: Women exercising prostitution are established as "target" population; the existence of intravenous drug addiction in the last 5 years is the criterion for exclusion, the sample comes from 11 nodal populations of Extremadura, and is constituted by 95 persons, selected in their own working places and having previously obtained their informed consent. The city American bar, 37.9%, the prostitution house 32.6%, and the road American bar are the most frequent kinds of prostitution. Besides the socio-sanitary poll, infections by HIV-1, HIV-2, Hepatitis B,C, virus, associated to certain risk practices are investigated. RESULTS: The prevalence of infection by HIV-1 is 1.05% with confidence intervals of 0 and 3%; no seropositivity to HIV-2 was detected. In forty-two out of the women surveyed, 44, 21% show some positive marker of the hepatitis-B (HBV) (C.I. 95% 34.1-54.2). Antibodies to the Hepatitis C virus (Anti-HCV) are present in three women, 3.16% (C.I. 95% 0-6%). Among the risk practices studied, it stands out that 44% use condoms in their relations with clients and only in 2.54% because of clients demand. In unremunerated couples, between 50 and 70% never use preservatives in sexual relations. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that infections by HIV-1/HIV-2 are not prevalent in non drug-users prostitutes in Extremadura. Likewise, the low use of preservative, in professional relations as well as in couples, is significative; and it stands out the high frequency of refusal to use preservatives by clients or partners. It is considered necessary to increase health education of these collectives and general heterosexual population, in order to change attitudes in private or professional sexual relations.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Demographic, clinical, and personality variables associated with male prostitution by choice.

This research compared demographic, clinical and personality variables in a sample of 15 male prostitutes and 15 nonprostitutes from the same cohort. Unlike previous samples of male prostitutes, these young men specifically reported that they were involved by choice, primarily to earn extra money. Significant findings included heavier drug and alcohol use, more limited vocational success and aspirations, and greater alcohol use among family members of male prostitutes. Male prostitutes were also more likely to identify themselves as drug or alcohol addicted. No significant differences were found in personality characteristics between the two groups, although there was limited support for the hypothesis that male prostitutes are more antisocial.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Prevalence of HIV-1 and other sexually transmitted diseases among Spanish prostitutes].

BACKGROUND: Many studies in Western countries point to the high prevalence of HIV infection in groups of prostitutes especially among those using intravenous drugs (IVDA). Furthermore, there appears to be a low but increasing number of heterosexually infected prostitutes. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a sample of 374 prostitutes selected by collaborating groups in 11 provinces with the aim of studying the prevalence of HIV and its associated risk factors in Spanish prostitutes. Furthermore, the prevalence of other sexually transmitted diseases (HIV-2, HTLV-I/II, hepatitis B and syphilis), the frequency of different sexual activities and the use of condoms were investigated in this group. The data were collected by interview using a previously tested questionnaire. RESULTS: Serological analysis demonstrated that 54 persons were positive for HIV-1 (16%), none for HIV-2, 1 for HTLV-I/II, 113 for hepatitis B (46%) and 84 for syphilis (25%). The main risk factor for HIV infection was IVDA; 60% of this group was positive vs 3% of the non IVDA (OR = 47.6; confidence interval 18.4-128.0). Consistent condom use in this population is low, although it varies according to the type of relation and sexual partner. Forty-nine percent of the women having vaginal relations with their customers reported using condoms at all times or almost all times vs 36% for anal relations and 22% for oral relations. These percentages were reduced to 10%, 6% and 3%, respectively with private sexual partners. CONCLUSIONS: Studies concerning HIV prevalence and its associated risk factors in Spanish prostitutes should be continued in order to monitor trends in HIV infection and the use of protective measures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Prevalence of gonorrhoea, syphilis and trichomoniasis in prostitutes in Burkina Faso.

Prevalence of syphilis, gonorrhoea and trichomoniasis among 127 prostitutes in Ougadougou, Burkina Faso, was investigated. 22% were positive of syphilis, 20% for intracellular gram negative diplococci, and 17% for Trichomonas vaginalis infection. Demographic data revealed that the prostitutes were a young group, with 69% between 15 and 25 years old. 14% of the women were from Burkina Faso; the majority (73%) were of Ghanaian origin. Our data highlight alarming rates of STDs in prostitutes working in Ouagadougou. Education campaigns which consider sociodemographic and cultural characteristics of the prostitutes should be established to reduce these rates. Upgrading of diagnostic capabilities and focal mass drug administration among prostitutes should also be considered. Data for this study were collected at Yalgado Ouedraogo Hospital, Ouagudougou, Burkina Faso, and analyzed at Columbia University School of Public Health and at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, USA.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Epidemiology of HIV infection among prostitutes in the Philippines.

Between 1985 and 1987, examinations for human immune deficiency virus (HIV) antibody were done on 25,392 prostitutes working in 64 cities throughout the Philippines. The country-wide seropositivity rate among prostitutes based on this sample was 0.8/1,000. Of the HIV cases, 85% were working in just two cities whose prostitute populations comprised 50% of the total sample. The average incidence rate for the same two cities after 1 year was 2.3/1,000. HIV antibody-positive women were enrolled in a case-control study to determine demographic and epidemiologic risk factors. This study involving 34 HIV-positive prostitutes and 61 randomly selected negative control prostitutes did not reveal any risk factors related to sexual or other types of behavior. A history of genital warts, a history of abnormal vaginal discharge, and cytomegalovirus antibody were significantly more frequent in the HIV-positive cases than in the controls; however, by logistic regression analysis, only an abnormal vaginal discharge was independently associated with HIV infection. Absence of any evidence of transmission by blood transfusion or i.v. drug abuse suggests that HIV was introduced by the heterosexual route.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Relevance of routine diagnosis of Chlamydia and HIV infections in Vienna prostitutes].

At the Control Center for Veneral Diseases of the Vienna Health Office, 5000 examinations for Chlamydia infection were performed on registered and non-registered prostitutes between 1980 and 1988. During this period, we observed a continuous decrease of the rate of infections from 20.4% to 4% among registered prostitutes and from 31.4% to 12.4% among non-registered prostitutes. Between 1985 and 1988, the cumulative number of HIV infections only rose from 7 to 8 cases among registered prostitutes and from 2 to 3 cases among non-registered prostitutes. All these HIV carriers were associated with i.v. drug abuse. The correlations between these two infections as well as the implications regarding health politics are discussed.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1988

Cellular and humoral immunity in prostitutes in Istanbul.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) can be transmitted through heterosexual intercourse and prostitutes may be responsible for this form of transmission. Thirty-four prostitutes were included in this study and their humoral and cellular immunological parameters were compared with control group. Prostitutes were divided in two subgroups according to their sexual practice and the use of illicit drugs and compared with each other. The only immunological parameter that is significantly different from the control group was the serum IgM level. In prostitutes who have more than 11 partners in a week, the mean number of E rosettes, EAC rosette forming cells and cells expressing surface immunoglobulins were significantly higher than prostitutes who have 0-10 sexual partner in a week.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1984

[Hottentots and prostitutes: on an iconography of the sexualized woman].

The subject of investigation is the historical evolution of the idea of the Hottentot woman and the prostitute, as well as the relation in which both were seen to each other. For both were regarded as representative categories. In the stereotype of "black sexuality" this sexuality is seen as antithetical to European sexual morals. In the late 18th and in the 19th century the physiognomical, physiological and anatomical characteristics of the divergence of the black woman were observed. The appearances of the genitals and the barrocks are regarded as something abnormal and even pathological, which again is said to be the result of "primitive" sexual desire and activity. The prostitute--in the 19th century representing the sexualized woman in general--becomes the subject of detailed investigation. It was said that her physiognomy and her physiology stood for her "primitive" nature, thus ranging at the very end of the beauty scale. This, together with the imagination of her sexuality (perceived as pathological) moves her image very close to that of the Hottentot woman. The "atavistic" character of prostitutes, it is assumed as well could be seen from the form of their genitals as well as from other physical characteristics (obesity, "Darwin's ear", as described by Lombroso, etc.). In the late 19th century the perception of the prostitute has merged completely with that one of the Hottentot woman, which may be taken as the general conception held of the "negro Woman". Both are outsiders bearing the stigmata of sexual deviation--i.e. pathology. The negative image of both and its synthesis is expressed as well in art, for instance in Edouard Manet's "Olympia" (1862/63) and "Nana" (1877). The cause of this negative perception of prostitutes and of black women lies in the inherent fear of "the other" for being so different. This implied the fear of losing control over ones own sexuality and of losing power over women in general.

Africa↗
PubMed1995

A survey of the use of prostitutes (commercial sex workers) by new male attenders at a genito urinary medicine clinic.

This study documents the use of prostitutes (commercial sex workers) by new male patients attending a genito urinary medicine clinic. 541 consecutive male patients completed an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. 48 (8.9%) gave a history of previous purchase of sexual services in Northern Ireland and/or elsewhere; 69% of these encounters occurred outside Northern Ireland. The largest group were single men aged 20-29 years. 87% of those who purchased services in Northern Ireland were asked by the prostitute to use a condom compared with 60% elsewhere, but there was no significant difference in actual condom use between both groups (66.7% vs 72.7%) Only 21% of patients who had purchased the services more than once used condoms consistently and 29% were willing to pay more for unprotected sexual intercourse. 40% attributed their attendance at this clinic directly or indirectly to their encounter with a prostitute. Encounters with prostitutes were often related to alcohol consumption, 88% sometimes or always purchasing these services after drinking alcohol. Despite widespread publicity at-risk behaviour involving unprotected sexual intercourse with prostitutes is not uncommon. Health education should be targeted at the young single male who travels outside Northern Ireland.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Resistance to HIV-1 infection among persistently seronegative prostitutes in Nairobi, Kenya.

BACKGROUND: There is indirect evidence that HIV-1 exposure does not inevitably lead to persistent infection. Heterogeneity in susceptibility to infection could be due to protective immunity. The objective of this study was to find out whether in highly HIV-1-exposed populations some individuals are resistant to infection. METHODS: We did an observational cohort study of incident HIV-1 infection-among 424 initially HIV-1-seronegative prostitutes in Nairobi, Kenya, between 1985 and 1994. 239 women seroconverted to HIV-1 during the study period. Exponential, Weibull, and mixture survival models were used to examine the effect of the duration of follow-up on incidence of HIV-1 infection. The influence of the duration of exposure to HIV-1 through prostitution on seroconversion risk was examined by Cox proportional hazards modelling, with control for other known or suspected risk factors for incident HIV-1 infection. HIV-1 PCR with env, nef, and vif gene primers was done on 43 persistently seronegative prostitutes who remained seronegative after 3 or more years of follow-up. FINDINGS: Modelling of the time to HIV-1 seroconversion showed that the incidence of HIV-1 seroconversion decreased with increasing duration of exposure, which indicates that there is heterogeneity in HIV-1 susceptibility or acquired immunity to HIV-1. Each weighted year of exposure through prostitution resulted in a 1.2-fold reduction in HIV-1 seroconversion risk (hazard ratio 0.83 [95% CI 0.79-0.88], p < 0.0001). Analyses of epidemiological and laboratory data, show that persistent seronegativity is not explained by seronegative HIV-1 infection or by differences in risk factors for HIV-1 infection such as safer sexual behaviours or the incidence of other sexually transmitted infections. INTERPRETATION: We conclude that a small proportion of highly exposed individuals, who may have natural protective immunity to HIV-1, are resistant to HIV-1.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

Selling sex: female street prostitution and HIV risk behaviour in Glasgow.

Female prostitutes have often been seen as a major source of HIV infection. In this paper we report on a study of HIV-related risk behaviour among street prostitutes in Glasgow. This paper is based on street interviews using a standardized schedule with 68 women. We focus on the extent of HIV testing amongst the women, travel, the sexual services provided, the use of condoms with clients and private partners, and the extent of drug injecting and equipment sharing by the women. It is shown that female street prostitution within Glasgow is, at present, unlikely to be associated with significant heterosexual spread of HIV as most commercial sex is with a condom. However, some risk activities are continuing. Additionally, prostitutes report worrying rates of condom failure with clients. It is suggested that attention should switch away from an exclusive focus on women selling sexual services to target the men who purchase sex. These data indicate that much of the pressure for these women to provide unprotected sex comes from their clients.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed1992

HIV-1 infection among non-intravenous drug user female prostitutes in Spain. No evidence of evolution to pattern II.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of HIV-1 infection among non-intravenous drug user (IVDU) female prostitutes in Spain and to determine risk factors for HIV-1 infection in this population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional seroepidemiological study of 519 non-IVDU prostitutes. SETTING: Four university hospitals. METHODS: All participants completed a questionnaire and provided a serum sample. Serum samples were tested for antibodies against HIV-1, hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Treponema pallidum. RESULTS: Twelve out of the 519 (2.31%) participants were HIV-1-seropositive. HIV-1 infection was associated with the presence of both HCV and T. pallidum antibodies, multiple sex partners, longer history of prostitution, history of genital ulcers and anal intercourse. Condom use was associated with HIV-1 seronegativity. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HIV-1 infection in non-IVDU prostitutes in Spain remains relatively low. Risk increases with a higher rate of sexual exposure and practices such as anal intercourse and unprotected coitus.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Factors associated with sexually transmitted diseases among prostitutes in Singapore.

From June to December 1990, 806 prostitutes registered with the STD programme in Singapore for regular screening for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) were investigated for factors associated with STD incidence in the preceding year. The majority were foreigners (92.7% Malaysians and 3.1% Thais). Anal sex (0.4%) and intravenous drug use (0.9%) were rare. The overall STD incidence rate was 47.7 per 100. None was human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive. The crude and age-adjusted risk of STD was found to increase significantly with client load. An inverse relationship between condom use and STD risk was also observed. Mean condom use among clients was reported as 56.1% for spontaneous use and estimated as 75.4% following negotiation for condom use by prostitutes. Although the prostitutes negotiated for condom use with majority of the clients (85.5%) who did not use condoms spontaneously, they were successful with only about half of them (54.4%). Health education should be targeted at clients on the protective effects of condom use and at the prostitutes on skills in negotiating condom use.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

AIDS-related perceptions and condom use of prostitutes in Korea.

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of AIDS-related knowledge and attitudes of prostitutes on condom use from diverse 'sex markers' in Korea. The data were collected by interviewers at five different 'sex markets'. During March 1993, research assistants at the Institute of Health Services Research interviewed 371 prostitutes visiting sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics. Multiple regression method was used in identifying the determinants of condom use. The level of condom use was regressed on personal characteristics of prostitutes, AIDS-related perceptions, and market type. Prostitutes' level of condom use turned out to be different across the markets featuring diverse types of services and fees. Neither perceived vulnerability nor perceived seriousness of AIDS had significant effects on condom use. Our findings suggested that the many AIDS-preventive educational efforts by STD clinics are ineffective. Hence, individual STD clinics need to develop AIDS-preventive education programs which are suitable for the unique circumstances of their respective 'sex markets'.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1993

Prostitution and HIV risk behavior.

The authors discuss prostitution as a high-risk behavior for HIV infection and transmission, using data from interviews with prostitutes in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and New York City. "The primary objective is to share some of the information gained in research interviews and street work so that it can be utilized to assist efforts at reaching such high risk behavior populations with appropriate AIDS prevention information, testing, counseling and health services." Factors considered include prostitute characteristics, the pimp, perceived roles of the prostitute, power and control, risky sexual practices, and knowledge, attitudes, and behavior relating to AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

Risk factors for HIV among prostitutes in Chiangmai, Thailand.

The discovery of a 44% (44 out of 100) prevalence rate of HIV infection among female prostitutes working in brothels in Chiangmai in Thailand in June 1989, prompted this follow-up study in August to confirm the high prevalence rate and to look for risk factors for infection. We studied 238 female prostitutes working in 14 brothels and confirmed this high prevalence rate. Eighty-seven (36.5%) out of 238 prostitutes were found to be HIV-positive by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with IFA or Western blot confirmation. Logistic regressions found a significant association between HIV infection and frequency of sexual intercourse greater than 3 times per day [odds ratio (OR) = 2.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.47-5.41], sexual service charge less than 150 Baht (OR = 9.1, 95% CI = 2.9-33.3), and post sexual cleansing with water alone (OR = 3.85, 95% CI = 1.90-7.80). Of 56 women found seronegative in the June survey, 35 were re-tested in the August study. Seven (20%) of them were seropositive, giving an HIV seroconversion incidence rate of 10% per month. The findings of this study prompted intensive health education programmes among prostitutes, their customers, and owners of brothels.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗