Cross-sectional study on risk factors of HIV among female commercial sex workers in Cambodia

To describe epidemiological features on HIV prevalence among female commerc ial sex workers (CSWs), a cross-sectional study on sexual behaviour and ser ological prevalence was carried out in Cambodia. The CSWs were interviewed on their demographic characters and behaviour and their blood samples were taken for testing on sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, Chlamydi a trachomatis, syphilis, and hepatitis B. Associations between risk factors and HIV seropositivity were analysed. High seroprevalence of HIV and Chlam ydia trachomatis IgG antibody (CT-IgG-Ab) was shown among the CSWs (54 and 81.7 %, respectively). Univariate logistic regression analyses showed an as sociation between HIV seropositivity and age, duration of prostitution, the number of clients per day and CT-IgG-Ab. Especially, high-titre chlamydial seropositivity showed a strong significant association with HIV prevalence . In multiple logistic regression analyses, CT-IgG-Ab with higher titre was significantly independently related to HIV infection. These suggest that e xistence of Chlamydia trachomatis is highly related to HIV prevalence.