Knowledge of HIV and HPV Infection, and Acceptance of HPV Vaccination in Spanish Female Sex Worker

Abstract

Objective: To examine the socioeconomic variables, lifestyles, and sexual behaviors of female sex workers; their knowledge about the risk of HIV and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection; the HPV vaccine, and their attitudes toward it. Methods: 168 female sex workers (18-49 years old) filled out a questionnaire consisting of 5 parts with a total of 19 items. Results: Knowledge of Pap smears was moderate; 47% of the participants had undergone at least one. Most respondents (52.4%) had never heard of HPV. Most (88%) recognized HIV as a virus that can be acquired sexually. For most women, recommendations from non governmental organizations (NGOs) (68.5%) were the major influences in deciding to be vaccinated and learning how to take care of their health. Conclusion: The cost-effectiveness ratios for HPV control and vaccination strategies would be more favorable if younger women are targeted and initial catch-up efforts are targeted to female sex workers by revising screening policies. Healthcare workers and volunteers in NGOs should be educated and trained about HIV, HPV infection, and HPV vaccination and its relationship with genital cancer.

Sex Worker Health Outcomes in High-Income Countries of Varied Regulatory Environments: A Systematic Review

“…Sex work legislation varied across the studies, with the largest proportion of studies conducted in countries with partial criminalization [ 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 62 , 63 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 , 99 , 101 , 102 , 105 , 116 , 117 , 119 , 120 , 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 ,…”

“…The mean age of participants for all studies ranged from 23.0 to 39.3 years of age. Most studies featured only female participants [ 27 , 29 , 42 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 64 , 67 , 68 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 99 , 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 , 104 , 105 , 107 , ...…”

“…Most studies collected data through the use of questionnaires [ 27 , 29 , 45 , 47 , 50 , 51 , 55 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 65 , 66 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 74 , 76 , 77 , 81 , 88 , 90 , 98 , 99 , 103 , 108 , 114 , 115 , 118 , 119 , 121 , 125 , 129 , 133 ]. Less frequently used data collection methods included structured interviews [ 100 , 113 , 123 ] and self-completed diaries reporting on sex practices [ 54 ] and drug and alcohol use [ 56 ].…”

“…Studies reported a range of health outcomes. Mental health issues were most frequently reported [ 29 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 , 99 , 100 ,…”