Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. This intervention linked research aimed to reduce prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Ng and Chlamydia trachomatis Ct among female sex workers by means of one round of presumptive treatment PT , and improved prevention and screening services.
Routine sexually transmitted infection STI screening services were successfully introduced for two groups of unregistered sex workers who work in brothels BSWs and on the street SSWs. No changes were made to existing screening methods for registered sex workers RSWs or lower risk guest relations officers GROs. Cross sectional prevalence of Ng and Ct was measured by PCR on three occasions, and stratified by type of sex work. Longer term maintenance of STI control requires ongoing access to effective preventive and curative services.
Sex work carries occupational risks, not least of which is frequent exposure to sexually transmitted infections STI. Presumptive treatment in high risk populations is an alternative that has been shown to contribute to community STI control in several settings. By definition, however, presumptive treatment strategies are temporary measures; as prevalence falls, the epidemiological justification for the intervention weakens. The effectiveness of these services is unclear, however.
Cervical Gram stain, used in SHCs to screen for gonorrhoea and chlamydia, has low sensitivity to detect infection, 20 and clinical examinations are not done systematically. Moreover, some categories of entertainment workers are exempt from regular checkups, and most freelance sex workers are either not eligible or avoid the system entirely. Despite these limitations, HIV prevalence remains low in the Philippines even among sex workers.
At the time of the intervention, an estimated β women were working as sex workers in Angeles. Unregistered sex workers who work in brothels casas or on the street typically have more clients, poorer access to services, and higher STI prevalence. The objective of this intervention research was to evaluate changes in STI prevalence following implementation of these interventions.
