HIV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis prevalence and coinfection among sex workers in Southern Brazil
Schuelter-Trevisol, F.; Custódio, G.; Silva, A.C.B.d.; Oliveira, M.B.d.; Wolfart, A.; Trevisol, D.J.é
Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical 46(4): 493-497
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 1678-9849 PMID: 23681430 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-1364-2013Document Number: 578767
Sex workers (SWs) are vulnerable to HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis coinfection. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Tubarão, Laguna, and Imbituba, Southern Brazil. We surveyed 147 SWs using face-to-face interviews and blood sampling for serological evaluation. Prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) was 23.1%, syphilis 19.7%, hepatitis C (HCV) 8.8%, and HIV 8.8%. Of 13 HIV-infected patients, 3 were co-infected with HCV, 4 with syphilis, and 5 with HBV. SWs had high HIV infection rates, and coinfection with viral hepatitis and syphilis.