Abstract objective: to describe the features of sex workers receiving care at peer-based clinics in San Francisco and to evaluate the predictive factors of sexually transmitted infections (STI).
Methods: we conducted observational studies on sex workers in the St. James Infirmary.
Individuals received the initial questionnaire and we provided STI screening each time we visited the clinic.
We performed a single, double, and multi-variable analysis to evaluate the predictors of STI in this population.
Results: We saw 783 sex workers identified as women (53. 6%), male (23. 9%)
Transgender men and women (16. 1%), and other (6. 5%).
70% have never disclosed their sexual work to medical institutions.
Participants represented a wide range of races, educational backgrounds and types of sexual work.
Tobacco is the most used substance (45. 8%).
It is reported that nearly 40% people currently use illicit drugs.
More than half reported domestic violence and 36 reported it.
0% reported violence related to sexual work.
People screened have leucorrhea (12. 4%), chlamydia (6. 8%), syphilis (1. 8%)
, Or herpes simplex virus 2 (34. 3%).
Predictors of sexually transmitted infections include AfricaAmerican race (odds ratio (OR)3. 3), male gender (OR 1. 9)
Violence related to sexual work (OR 1. 9).
In contrast, participants who have only worked in collective work are less likely to develop sexually transmitted infections (OR 0. 4).
Conclusion: most sex workers have never discussed their work with medical providers.
Domestic and work-related violence is widespread.
Working with other sex workers seems to be the protection of sexually transmitted infections.
Interventions to prevent sexually transmitted infections should target Africa
American and male sex workers
Addressing violence in the workplace and encouraging the collective work of sex workers may be effective prevention strategies.
Funding was first published online in July 19, 2006: The study was supported by the National Institute for Drug Abuse (K23 DA01674)
The Ford Foundation, the San Francisco Department of Public Health and the University of California San Francisco Medical School student research training program.