Gynekologisk helsetilstand hos et utvalg prostituerte i Oslo

Abstract

Lower genital tract infection amongst a selection of female sex workers in Oslo. Objective: To determine the prevalence of lower genital tract infection and genital complains among a selection of female sex workers in Oslo. Background: Pro Senteret and Olafiaklinikken have cooperated to give female sex workers adequate healthcare regarding pelvic examinations and birth control. Once every second week the women were offered pelvic exams free of charge and the opportunity to speak to a doctor at Pro Senterets locations. Methods: At each consultation the women was asked to fill in a questionnaire containing information about social background, use of condoms, current symptoms, previous sexually transmitted diseases and use of narcotics. The physician filled in a standardized form containing patient history, clinical findings and concluded with a diagnosis. Using these files we entered the data into the statistical data analysis program EpiInfo and analyzed the processed data. Materials: Included in the study were 81 women with a total of 111 consultations. 40% of the women were Norwegian, the remaining were mainly represented by Eastern Europe, Thailand and the Dominican Republic. Results: 72 % Norwegian and 57 % non-Norwegians reported pelvic discomfort in regards to altered discharge and pelvic pain. These findings were mainly reflected by the rate of diagnosis of both bacterial vaginosis (23 %) and vaginal candidiasis (16 %). 4.9 % were diagnosed with Chlamydia, and just as many with Trichomonas. Other sexually transmitted diseases carried a low prevalence. 2/3 consequently used condoms with clients and the remaining third did either not answered the question or answered “almost always”. Conclusions: The female sex workers are generally quite healthy with a low infection rate. This is mainly due to the fact of substantial condom usage. Chlamydia, the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD), is less frequent than in the general population tested in Norway. The only STD that shows an increased prevalence in our material is Trichomoniasis. Despite the low infection rate, the women are troubled by pelvic discomfort, bacterial vaginosis and vaginal candidiasis. These findings are more a consequence of a vast repertoire of partners and frequent sex.