[health menu] XI International Conference on AIDS
July 7-12, 1996

Ettiegne-Traore Virginie, Ghys P.D.*,
Diallo M.O., Yeboue K.M.,
N'Gbichi J-M., Soroh D., Kadio J-C., Greenberg AE.Z**
Projet RETRO-CI
National AIDS/STD/TB Control Program
Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire

Coulibaly I-M., Laga M.
*Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium

**CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA

Mo.C.442

HIV Seroincidence and STD Prevalence During an Intervention Study Among Female Sex Workers in Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire: Preliminary Findings

Objectives

To compare the HIV seroincidence rate in female sex workers (FSW) before and during an intervention study, and to study the effect of two different STD diagnosis and treatment strategies on STD prevalence during this study.

Methods

A cross-sectional study (CS) of STD and HIV infection in FSW has been conducted at a confidential clinic in Abidjan since October 1992. In June 1994, an intervention study (IS) was started for FSW who were HIV-seronegative in the CS; HIV serology is repeated if the interval between the CS visit and enrollment in the IS is greater than two weeks. During the IS, women report once a month to the clinic where they receive health education, free condoms and free treatment for STD. FSW are randomized into those who are examined only when symptomatic and treated according to a basic STD diagnosis and treatment strategy (Group 1), and those who are examined systematically every month and treated according to an intensive STD diagnosis and treatment strategy (Group 2). An outcome assessment including serology for HIV, culture for N. gonorrhoeae (NG), EIA for C. trachomatis (CT) and wet mount for T. vaginalis (TV) is performed every six months.

Results

Before the IS, 5 HIV-1 seroconversions were observed during 24.six person-years (PY) in 39 FSW (20/100 PY). During the IS, 2 HIV-1 seroconversions have been observed during 30 PY in 44 FSW (7/100 PY) (RR 0.33; 95% CI 0.03 - 2.00). At the first IS outcome assessment, no significant differences were detected between Group 1 (N=21) and Group 2 (N=23) in mean number of visits (4.3 vs 4.1), in NG/CT prevalence (0% vs 5%), or in TV prevalence (19% vs 13%). Group 1 women, who had a less intensive diagnosis and treatment strategy, had a lower mean number of TV treatments (0.5 vs 0.8, p=NS) and NG/CT treatments (0.9 vs 2.3, p<.05).

Conclusions

The HIV-1 seroincidence has decreased, although not significantly, during an intervention study among FSW in Abidjan. To date, no differences in STD prevalence have been observed between women who are treated according to the basic or the intensive STD diagnosis and treatment strategies. Further follow-up will enable us to determine the optimal strategy for STD diagnosis and treatment to control HIV and STD in FSW in Abidjan.

Virginie Ettiegne-Traore
01 B.P. 1712
Abidjan 01
Cote d'Ivoire
Tel: (225) 25-41-89; Fax: (225) 24-29-69

XI Int. Conference on AIDS abstracts... [health menu] [main menu]
Created: July 16, 1996
Last modified: July 17, 1996
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