TY - JOUR
T1 - HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related risks among female sex workers in Mongolia
T2 - Second-generation surveillance survey, 2011-2012
AU - Munkhbaatar, Sergelen
AU - Aumakhan, Bulbul
AU - Jantsansengee, Baigalmaa
AU - Azyei, Iliza
AU - Sanjaajamts, Zolzaya
AU - Badrakh, Jugderjav
AU - Sovd, Tugsdelger
AU - Stromdahl, Susanne
AU - Baral, Stefan
AU - Amindavaa, Oyunbileg
PY - 2014/9/1
Y1 - 2014/9/1
N2 - Background Surveillance studies among female sex workers (FSWs) in Mongolia have found no HIV but high rates of syphilis, ranging from 10.7% in 2002 to 20.8% in 2007.Objectives To determine the current prevalence of HIV and syphilis among FSWs, and to identify syphilis risk factors.Methods 761 FSWs were recruited by time-location sampling between 2 January and 29 March 2012 in Ulaanbaatar city, Darkhan-Uul, Orkhon, Khuvsgul and Dornod provinces in Mongolia. Participants were administered an anonymous structured survey. Blood samples were tested for HIV and syphilis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with syphilis.Results The mean age of participants was 31 (median 30, interquartile range 24-38). HIV knowledge was modest: 41.3% correctly answered all questions. Consistent condom use with clients was reported by 49.1% of participants and exposure to HIV prevention programmes by 50.1%. Although no cases of HIV were found, syphilis prevalence was -27.8% (95% CI 24.3% to 31.7%). In multivariate analyses, variables associated with syphilis were younger age (age >30 years, OR=0.96, 95% CI 0.92 to 0.99) and occurrence of genital ulcer (OR=2.24, 95% CI 1.17 to 4.28).Conclusions A syphilis epidemic continues to grow among FSWs in Mongolia. These women are at high risk of HIV transmission if introduced into their sexual networks. With the increase in migration of mining workers in Mongolia, introduction of HIV may be imminent. Efforts to intensify treatment and prevention programmes among FSWs are needed.
AB - Background Surveillance studies among female sex workers (FSWs) in Mongolia have found no HIV but high rates of syphilis, ranging from 10.7% in 2002 to 20.8% in 2007.Objectives To determine the current prevalence of HIV and syphilis among FSWs, and to identify syphilis risk factors.Methods 761 FSWs were recruited by time-location sampling between 2 January and 29 March 2012 in Ulaanbaatar city, Darkhan-Uul, Orkhon, Khuvsgul and Dornod provinces in Mongolia. Participants were administered an anonymous structured survey. Blood samples were tested for HIV and syphilis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with syphilis.Results The mean age of participants was 31 (median 30, interquartile range 24-38). HIV knowledge was modest: 41.3% correctly answered all questions. Consistent condom use with clients was reported by 49.1% of participants and exposure to HIV prevention programmes by 50.1%. Although no cases of HIV were found, syphilis prevalence was -27.8% (95% CI 24.3% to 31.7%). In multivariate analyses, variables associated with syphilis were younger age (age >30 years, OR=0.96, 95% CI 0.92 to 0.99) and occurrence of genital ulcer (OR=2.24, 95% CI 1.17 to 4.28).Conclusions A syphilis epidemic continues to grow among FSWs in Mongolia. These women are at high risk of HIV transmission if introduced into their sexual networks. With the increase in migration of mining workers in Mongolia, introduction of HIV may be imminent. Efforts to intensify treatment and prevention programmes among FSWs are needed.
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U2 - 10.1136/sextrans-2013-051443
DO - 10.1136/sextrans-2013-051443
M3 - Review article
C2 - 24723618
AN - SCOPUS:84907283637
SN - 1368-4973
VL - 90
SP - 463
EP - 468
JO - Sexually transmitted infections
JF - Sexually transmitted infections
IS - 6
ER -