Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among clients of female commercial sex workers in Thailand

Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among clients of female commercial sex workers in Thailand

Tabrizi, S.N., D. of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Women's and Children's Health Network, Victoria, Australia
Skov, S., AIDS/STD Unit, Casuarina, Northern Territory, Australia
Verapol Chandeying, Assoc. Prof., D. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, F. of Medicine, PSU.
Jatuporn Norpech, D. of Communicable Diseases Control, Region 12, Songkla
Garland, S.M., D. of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Women's and Children's Health Network, Victoria, Australia
Corresponding e-mail : sepehrta@ozonline.com.au

Published : Sex Transm Dis 2000 Jul, 27(6) : 358-62
Key words : clinets, female commercial sex workers, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, herpes simplex virus (HSV), HIV, used condom, polymerase chain reaction

Clients of commercial sex workers are considered at high risk for the acquisition and trans-mission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Identification and treatment of infections in this group could help to reduce the transmission of STDs. GOAL : To ascertain the prevalence of sexually transmitted organisms in male clients of female sex workers in Thailand by analysis of seminal fluid collected after intercourse. STUDY DESIGN : Used condoms were collected from 291 male clients attending a brothel in Hat Yai, Thailand during a 7-day period. Nucleic acid was extracted from seminal fluid and tested by polymerase chain reaction for the presence of Chlamydia tracho- matis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, herpes simplex virus (HSV) and HIV sequences. RESULTS : Overall, 17 (6%), 47 (16%), and 2 (1%) of specimens were positive for C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae and T. vaginalis respectively. HSV sequences were found in 24 (8%) of the specimens : 14 specimens (5%) with HSV type 1, and 11 specimens (4%) with HSV type 2. HIV RNA was detected in two samples (1%). Overall, 75 specimens (26%) were positive for one or more infections, and more than one pathogen was detected in 16 specimens (5%). CONCLUSION : This study reports a high rate of STDs among clients of female sex workers in Thailand. Conse- quently, this population is a significant risk for transmitting STDs to commercial sex workers and to other noncommercial partners. Strategies that target this population of men are needed to reduce STD and HIV transmission.

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