CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH PREVALENT HIV-INFECTION AMONG A COHORT OF SEX WORKERS IN CAMEROON

Objective: To determine prevalence of HIV infection in a cohort of fem ale sex workers in Cameroon, and to describe characteristics associate d with HIV infection in this population. Methods: In a cross sectional study, 2260 female sex workers in Cameroon were interviewed and scree ned for HIV serostatus. A standardised questionnaire was used to colle ct information on sociodemographic characteristics and sexual and heal th behaviours. Results: Seropositive participants (18%) were more like ly to be over age 25, have four or more children, live in Yaounde or D ouala for 5 years or less, solicit clients in their homes or on the st reet, have a low educational level, earn a weekly income of less than $24, and have no other occupation outside of sex work. A logistic regr ession model of selected sociodemographic characteristics indicated th at women at particularly high odds of HIV infection were older, poorer , and new immigrants to their city of residence. Conclusion: This sero prevalence study found a lower HIV prevalence than had been previously reported. Although our results are different, this group is still at much higher risk of HIV infection than the population as a whole.