Sexually Transmitted Infections and Sexual Behaviour Among Commercial Sex Workers in a Rural District of Malawi.
Affiliation
Médecins sans Frontières - Luxembourg, Thyolo District, Malawi. Zachariah@internet.lnIssue Date
2003-03
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
In Thyolo District, Malawi, a study was conducted among commercial sex workers (CSWs) attending mobile clinics in order to; determine the prevalence and pattern of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), describe sexual behaviour among those who have an STI and identify risk factors associated with 'no condom use'. There were 1817 CSWs, of whom 448 (25%) had an STI. Of these, the commonest infections included 237 (53%) cases of abnormal vaginal discharge, 109 (24%) cases of pelvic inflammatory disease and 95 (21%) cases of genital ulcer disease (GUD). Eighty-seven per cent had sex while symptomatic, 17% without condoms. Having unprotected sex was associated with being married, being involved with commercial sex outside a known rest-house or bar, having a GUD, having fewer than two clients/day, alcohol intake and having had no prior medication for STI. The high levels of STIs, particularly GUDs, and unprotected sex underlines the importance of developing targeted interventions for CSWs and their clients.PubMed ID
12665441Additional Links
http://ijsa.rsmjournals.comLanguage
enISSN
0956-4624ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1258/095646203762869197
Scopus Count
Collections
Related articles
- Health seeking and sexual behaviour in patients with sexually transmitted infections: the importance of traditional healers in Thyolo, Malawi.
- Authors: Zachariah R, Nkhoma W, Harries AD, Arendt V, Chantulo A, Spielmann MP, Mbereko MP, Buhendwa L
- Issue date: 2002 Apr
- Sexually transmitted disease prevalence in brothel-based commercial sex workers in Chiang Mai, Thailand: impact of the condom use campaign.
- Authors: Rugpao S, Wanapirak C, Sirichotiyakul S, Yutabootr Y, Prasertwitayakij W, Suwankiti S, Wongworapat K, Tovanabutra S, Natpratan C, Saba J
- Issue date: 1997 Jul
- Sexually transmitted infections among prison inmates in a rural district of Malawi.
- Authors: Zachariah R, Harries AD, Chantulo AS, Yadidi AE, Nkhoma W, Maganga O
- Issue date: 2002 Nov-Dec
- Female sex street workers and sexually transmitted infections: their knowledge and behaviour in Italy.
- Authors: Trani F, Altomare C, Nobile CG, Angelillo IF
- Issue date: 2006 Apr
- Acceptability and technical problems of the female condom amongst commercial sex workers in a rural district of Malawi.
- Authors: Zachariah R, Harries AD, Buhendwa L, Spielman MP, Chantulo A, Bakali E
- Issue date: 2003 Oct