Sexually Transmitted Infections and Associated Risk Factors Among Street-Based and Residence-Based Female Sex Workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

Despite receiving HIV/STI prevention services, bacterial STIs remain prevalent among FSWs suggesting the need for more effective management of STIs. The guidelines for management of STIs need revision in view of the emerging resistance.

Simultaneous Detection of Seven Pathogens of Cervicitis Among Young Female Sex Workers by Multiplex Real Time PCR in Dhaka, Bangladesh

“…gonorrhoeae was found only in 18.9% of study patients which was much lower than the rates (35.5%)among the sex workers reported by Nessa et al 54 and Rahman et al 55 But the result of present study was much higher than that of a previous study (5.4%) in Bangladesh. 1 In this study, among PCR positive cases, the rate of mixed infections (66.3%) was higher than that of single infection (33.7%). In contrast, Sylverken et al found higher rate of single infection (57.1%) than that of the mixed infections (42.9%).…”

“…Correspondence: WHO approaches syndromic management (SM) for the diagnosis of cervicitis and other sexually transmitted infections.But cervicitis in FSWsis mostly asymptomatic or having mild or nonspecific symptoms. 1,38,39,40 So syndromic approach led to many cases untreated or over diagnosed. 41,42 Multiplex PCR are being developed to diagnose multiple organisms in a single clinical samplefrom endocervical specimen in both symptomatic and asymptomatic cervicitis patients which might be helpful to diagnose all the microbes in a single test and also to the clinicians to prescribe appropriate antibiotics for patients according to results.…”

“…Cervicitis, mostly caused by sexually transmitted pathogens, remains an important public health problem among female sex workers (FSWs) in developing countries like Bangladesh. 1 Untreated or undiagnosed cervicitis may cause ascending infection such as endometritis 2 , salpingitis. 3,4 pelvic inflammatory disease 5 andinfertility.…”

“…19 Higher rates of STIs related to cervicitis (83.2%) in young people have been reported in Bangladesh. 1 In most cases, etiologies of cervicitis are polymicrobial in nature. It is estimated that annually there are 131 million new cases of Chlamydia trachomatisand 78 million of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections among people aged 15-49 years all over the world 20 .…”

Factors associated with non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy among female sex workers living with HIV in Hyderabad, India

“…Additionally, street-based workers live lives more vulnerable to disruption and distraction as studies have shown that they are at higher risk for HIV and sexually transmitted infections, violence, depression, and child-related financial strain. 12,[39][40][41] Outside of our study, there is evidence that the relationship between FSWs and law enforcement is strained. Our finding of an association of nonadherence with arrest is plausible since FSWs with HIV are likely separated from their medication when arrested.…”