Abstract

Female sex workers (FSWs) are a marginalized group notoriously having limited healthcare access and poor-quality care. Inevitably, they are vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections including human immune deficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). The aim of this study was to study the frequency and the factors associated with HIV, HBV, and HCV among FSWs. In a cross-sectional study from December 2016 till March 2017, 52 Egyptian FSWs were interviewed and tested for markers of HBV, HCV and HIV infections. Oral and anal sex were reported in 48.1% and 17.3%, respectively. 25 FSWs had sex with drug users and 25% reported sex under the influence of drug/alcohol. Consistent condom use was reported in 3.8%. Two cases (3.8%) were HCV-Ab positive. Anti-HBs and anti-HBc were detected in 10 (19.2%) and 5 (9.6%) respectively and 78.8% were susceptible to HBV infection. None had HIV antibodies. History of circumcision by a traditional practitioner (p = 0.047), older age (0.014), and multiple sex partners (p = 0.024) were significantly associated with HBV infection. FSWs are at a higher risk of acquiring HBV infection than the normal population. They are at the potential risk of other STIs due to the high prevalence of at-risk-sex-practices.

摘要

女性性工作者（FSW）是一个边缘化群体，众所周知其医疗保健渠道有限且护理质量较差。他们不可避免地容易受到性传播感染的感染，包括人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV），乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）和丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）。这项研究的目的是研究FSW中HIV，HBV和HCV的频率和相关因素。在2016年12月至2017年3月的横断面研究中，对52个埃及FSW进行了采访并测试了HBV，HCV和HIV感染的标志物。口交和肛交的发生率分别为48.1％和17.3％。25个FSW与吸毒者发生性关系，其中25％的人在吸毒/酗酒的影响下发生性行为。一致报告使用安全套的比例为3.8％。HCV-Ab阳性2例（3.8％）。在10（19.2％）和5（9。分别有6％）和78.8％的人容易感染HBV。没有人有HIV抗体。传统医生行包皮环切术的历史（p  = 0.047），年龄较大（0.014）和多个性伴侣（p  = 0.024）与HBV感染显着相关。与正常人群相比，FSW获得HBV感染的风险更高。由于高风险性行为的普遍存在，他们有其他性传播感染的潜在风险。