Syphilis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Seroconversion during a 6-Month Follow-Up of Female Prostitutes in Mogadishu,Somalia

Abstract

A total of 155 prostitutes inhabiting 4 different districts in Mogadishu, Somalia, were enrolled in a 6 month prospective study of syphilis and HIV infection. Blood samples were taken on entry, at 3 months and at 6 months. Differences were seen between the prostitutes in the 4 districts regarding possible risk factors for the acquisition of STDs. Initially 107 (69%) were found to have syphilis serum markers and 47% had active syphilis as judged by positivity in both Treponema Pallidum Haemagglutination (TPHA) test and non-treponemal (VDRL and RPR) tests. TPHA positivity was correlated to the number of sexual partners. Sixty-nine prostitutes were followed for 6 months. Two of the 16 initially TPHA negative women seroconverted for syphilis during the follow-up.

HIV antibodies were detected in one (0.6%) of the 155 prostitutes at the start of the study and one out of 68 seroconverted during the 6 months follow-up. To control the spread of HIV infection health education targeting the risk groups like prostitutes must be given a high priority.

Keywords

Female prostitutes syphilis HIV seroconversion six-month follow-up

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