1. Syphilis in female sex workers: an epidemiological study of the highway system of the state of Pará, northern Brazil.
- Author
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Cavalcante NDS, Lima HRR, Tabosa DF, Barbosa EDSS, Costa NPDS, Costa LMD, Frade PCR, Martins LC, Silva-Oliveira GC, and Oliveira-Filho AB
- Subjects
- Adult, Brazil epidemiology, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Middle Aged, Prevalence, Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction, Risk Factors, Socioeconomic Factors, Substance-Related Disorders complications, Syphilis diagnosis, Syphilis transmission, Transportation, Treponema pallidum genetics, Unsafe Sex, Young Adult, Sex Workers statistics & numerical data, Syphilis epidemiology
- Abstract
Introduction: Female sex workers (FSWs) are considered a bridge for transmission of pathogens from high-risk to general populations. We assessed the epidemiological status of syphilis in FSWs along the Pará highway system., Methods: Two hundred and twenty-two FSWs were interviewed and samples were analyzed using rapid qualitative tests and real-time polymerase chain reaction., Results: The prevalence of syphilis was high (36.94%). The high rate of prostitution, use of illicit drugs, and search for financial resources increased Treponema pallidum transmission through unprotected sex., Conclusions: Several characteristics of FSWs were identified, which reinforce the need for measures guaranteeing their health and protection.
- Published
- 2019
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