Prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases among commercial sex workers in Singapore from 1977 to 1993: the effects of screening measures
Goh, C.L.; Chan, R.K.
Annals of the Academy of Medicine Singapore 24(4): 500-504
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0304-4602 PMID: 8849176 Document Number: 302648
As part of the Singapore Ministry of Health's Medical Surveillance Scheme, which requires commercial sex workers (CSWs) to undergo regular screening for sexually transmitted diseases (STD), the National Skin Centre clinic conducted STD screening among CSWs. STD data on CSWs attending the clinic during 1977-1993 were analyzed to examine the changes in STD prevalence among sex workers and the impact of the Medical Scheme on the STD infection rate. The STD infection rates of CSWs who were not in the Medical Scheme (new CSWs and freelance CSWs arrested for illicit prostitution) were compared with those in the Scheme. The STD screening program also provided CSWs access to STD/HIV educational and preventive programs. The gonorrhea infection rate decreased from 9% to 1.7%. The gonorrhea infection rate was lowest in CSWs who were part of the Medical Surveillance Scheme (1992, 2.6% vs. 4.9% for new CSWs and 6.1% for freelance CSWs; 1993, 1.7% vs. 4.3% and 5.8%, respectively). Chlamydia screening was not introduced until 1992. The chlamydia infection rated decreased from 7.4% in July 1992 to 4.2% in December 1993. The 1992-1993 chlamydia infection rate was lowest in CSWs who were part of the Medical Scheme (4.5% vs. 10.2% for new CSWs and 9.6% for freelance CSWs). Similarly, CSWs who were part of the Scheme had the lowest HIV infection rate (1992, 0.04% vs. 0.23% for new CSWs and 2.8% for freelance CSWs; 1993, 0.07% vs. 1.7% and 3.9%, respectively). HIV infection data were first put in to computers in 1992. These findings show that regular STD screening for sex workers effectively control STDs among sex workers.