Biological and behavioural surveillance of HIV and sexually transmitted infections STIs among populations at highest risk have been used to monitor trends in prevalence and in risk behaviours. A cross-sectional study using venue-based, time-space sampling was conducted among FSWs in Panama from to FSWs were interviewed about sociodemographic characteristics, sexual risk behaviour, health history and drug use using an anonymous structured questionnaire.
Factors associated with active syphilis were studied using logistic regression analysis. The overall HIV-1 prevalence of 0. Central and South America and the Caribbean together accounted for the second highest adult HIV prevalence in the world in In countries with concentrated epidemics, the second-generation HIV surveillance approach among populations at highest risk provides valuable data to monitor trends in prevalence of infection, and the risk behaviours driving these trends which, together, inform the evaluation of existing national AIDS control programmes.
The Ministry of Health MoH has regulated work at adult entertainment venues by registration through the Social Hygiene Programme, introduced in Panama in HIV testing is available at laboratories in all health districts. Treatment and care for HIV-positive persons are an individual's right under Panamanian law. The objectives were to determine the prevalence of HIV, active syphilis and other viral STIs, and to assess factors associated with active syphilis.
Panama's administrative division consists of nine provinces and three indigenous territories. Herrera and Los Santos were combined for recruitment and analysis; the two provinces share geographic boundaries and considerable intermigration for health and other services. In two visits or more, survey staff estimated the FSW population size at various daytime and night-time hours at all identified venues bars, taverns, night clubs, brothels, parks, city blocks, health clinics, street corners and pimps.
Venues were chosen based on accessibility and overall interest in study participation. At venues with an estimated FSW population of 8โ20, all women were invited to participate, whereas at venues with plus FSWs, women were invited randomly with a simple coin toss. The code indicated the site and month of recruitment and an invitation number. At an additional 54 venues, and through two pimps in one province, women self-identifying as unregistered FSWs were handed a second coded invitation card to recruitment dinners for enrolment and blood collection.
