Sexual transmission of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infections among male transvestite comercial sex workers in Montevideo, Uruguay

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2003 Jun;68(6):716-20.

Abstract

Prostitution may constitute a risk behavior for infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We conducted a seroepidemiologic study among 200 male transvestite commercial sex workers (CSWs) in Montevideo, Uruguay in 1999. Evidence of exposure to HBV, HCV, and HIV was found in 101 (50.5%), 13 (6.5%), and 43 (21.5%) individuals, respectively. Positivity for HIV was correlated with both HBV (odds ratio [OR] = 2.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01-4.67) and HCV (OR = 3.47, 95% CI = 0.90-12.79) infection. Predictors of infection were older age (> or = 26 years; P < 0.01) for all 3 viruses and time in CSW (> or = 5 years; P < 0.05) for HBV and HIV. Prior history of use of drugs (OR = 3.54, 95% CI = 1.09-11.52) and sexual contact with foreigners (OR = 9.2, 95% CI = 1.16-73.12) were found to be associated only with HCV infection. Sexual transmission of these viruses constitutes a significant problem among male transvestite CSWs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • HIV Antibodies / blood
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / transmission*
  • HIV-1 / immunology
  • Hepacivirus / immunology
  • Hepatitis B / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis B / transmission*
  • Hepatitis B Antibodies / blood
  • Hepatitis B virus / immunology
  • Hepatitis C / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis C / transmission*
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies / blood
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Sex Work*
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / epidemiology*
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / transmission
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / virology
  • Transvestism*
  • Uruguay

Substances

  • HIV Antibodies
  • Hepatitis B Antibodies
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies