Etiology of sexually transmitted infections among street-based female sex workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh

J Clin Microbiol. 2000 Mar;38(3):1244-6. doi: 10.1128/JCM.38.3.1244-1246.2000.

Abstract

An etiological study of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) was conducted among female sex workers (FSWs) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Endocervical swab and blood samples from 269 street-based FSWs were examined for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Trichomonas vaginalis as well as for antibodies to Treponema pallidum and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2). Sociodemographic data and data regarding behavior were also collected. A total of 226 of the 269 FSWs (84%) were positive for the STI pathogens studied. Among the 269 FSWs, 35.5% were positive for N. gonorrhoeae, 25% were positive for C. trachomatis, 45.5% were positive for T. vaginalis, 32.6% were seropositive for T. pallidum, 62.5% were seropositive for HSV-2, and 51% had infections with two or more pathogens.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
  • Bangladesh / epidemiology
  • Chlamydia Infections / diagnosis
  • Chlamydia Infections / epidemiology
  • Chlamydia trachomatis / isolation & purification
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Female
  • Gonorrhea / diagnosis
  • Gonorrhea / epidemiology
  • Herpes Genitalis / diagnosis
  • Herpes Genitalis / epidemiology
  • Herpesvirus 2, Human / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae / isolation & purification
  • Prevalence
  • Sex Work*
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / classification
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Syphilis / diagnosis
  • Syphilis / epidemiology
  • Treponema pallidum / isolation & purification
  • Trichomonas Vaginitis / diagnosis
  • Trichomonas Vaginitis / epidemiology
  • Trichomonas vaginalis / isolation & purification
  • Vaginal Smears

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial