SCREENING OF SEX WORKERS IN TURKEY FOR CHLAMYDIA-TRACHOMATIS

Background: Increasing migration of sex workers across East European b orders into Turkey has resulted in increased arrests of unregistered s ex workers. There is concern regarding the prevalence of sexually tran smitted diseases (STD) such as C. trachomatis in this unregulated grou p. Objective: To measure the prevalence of C. trachomatis infection an d selected related demographic and behavioral factors among registered and unregistered sex workers in Istanbul, Turkey. Methods: In a cross -sectional study, the prevalence of C. trachomatis infection was studi ed by direct fluorescent antibody testing in 248 sex workers: 158 pres ented for routine medical screening and 90 who were arrested for lack of registration. All subjects were interviewed regarding demographic f actors, sexual activity, and antibiotic and drug use. Results: The ove rall C. trachomatis prevalence was 12.9% (12.0% registered and 14.4% u nregistered). There was a strong association between never using condo ms and chlamydia positivity (odds ratio 8.9 [95% confidence interval 3 .7 to 21.6]). Conclusions: The high rate of C trachomatis among all te sted sex workers and the lack of regular condom use, particularly amon g unregistered sex workers, indicate that there is an urgent need for safe sex education and continued STD screening of unregistered sex wor kers.