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© 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Background: Syphilis remains a significant global public health issue, and female sex workers (FSWs) are highly vulnerable to the etiological agent of this disease. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of exposure to Treponema pallidum, as well as the vulnerability factors among FSWs in the state of Pará, Brazilian Amazon. Methods: A cross-sectional, retrospective study involving 360 FSWs from five cities in Pará was conducted from 2005 to 2007. Blood samples were collected for treponemal and non-treponemal testing, and epidemiological information was obtained through interviews. Results: The exposure rate to T. pallidum was 37.7% (136/360), and the majority of FSWs had serological results indicating past exposure (21.1%). Among the FSWs exposed to T. pallidum, most of them were single, aged 23 to 42 years old, had less than 8 years of schooling, and had a family income of between 1 and 3 minimum wages. They reported using condoms during sexual intercourse and had no history of sexually transmitted infection (STI). Furthermore, many of the FSWs exposed to T. pallidum reported having more than 20 sexual partners per month, and had partners from other Brazilian states, but not from other countries. An age over 42 years and a reduced level of education were factors associated with exposure to T. pallidum. Finally, a high rate of exposure to T. pallidum among FSWs in the Brazilian state of Pará (from 2005 to 2007) was detected. In later years, epidemiological studies conducted with FSWs recorded that this rate remained high. Measures to control, treat, and prevent syphilis among FSWs were necessary between 2005 and 2007, and they are still imperative today. Actions related to educational programs and STI control, treatment, and prevention measures contained in Brazilian policies aimed at women’s health have not changed the vulnerability scenario of FSWs regarding their exposure to T. pallidum, even after 16 years, and must be reviewed and adapted to the conditions of the Brazilian Amazon.

Details

Title
Exposure to Treponema pallidum among Female Sex Workers: A Retrospective Study Conducted in the State of Pará, Brazilian Amazon
Author
Thaís Mayara da Silva Carvalho 1 ; Paula do Socorro de Oliveira da Costa Laurindo 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Diogo Oliveira de Araújo 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Ricardo Roberto de Souza Fonseca 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Rogério Valois Laurentino 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Monteiro, Jacqueline Cortinhas 2 ; Rosimar Neris Mantins Feitosa 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Fernando Augusto Miranda da Costa 3   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Leonardo Miranda dos Santos 3   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Aldemir Branco Oliveira-Filho 4   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Almeida Machado, Luiz Fernando 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo 

 Biology of Infectious and Parasitic Agents Post-Graduate Program, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; [email protected] (T.M.d.S.C.); [email protected] (P.d.S.d.O.d.C.L.); [email protected] (D.O.d.A.); Virology Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; [email protected] (R.R.d.S.F.); [email protected] (R.V.L.); [email protected] (J.C.M.); [email protected] (R.N.M.F.) 
 Virology Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; [email protected] (R.R.d.S.F.); [email protected] (R.V.L.); [email protected] (J.C.M.); [email protected] (R.N.M.F.) 
 Bacteriology Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil; [email protected] (F.A.M.d.C.); [email protected] (L.M.d.S.) 
 Study and Research Group on Vulnerable Populations, Institute for Coastal Studies, Federal University of Pará, Bragança 68600-000, PA, Brazil; [email protected] 
First page
559
Publication year
2024
Publication date
2024
Publisher
MDPI AG
e-ISSN
20760817
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3084983257
Copyright
© 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.