Abstract

ALVIS, Nelson et al. Sexually-transmitted infection in a high-risk group from Montería, Colombia. Rev. salud pública [online]. 2007, vol.9, n.1, pp.86-96. ISSN 0124-0064.

Objective Identifying the main aetiological agents of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in a high-risk population from the city of Montería, Colombia. Methodology The population consisted of 69 sex-workers (high-risk group) and 16 housewives (low-risk group) living in the city of Montería. Specimens were cultured by standard microbiological methods and by the AMPLICOR CT/NG molecular technique. Results Patients were aged 18-44 (26.1 average age). It was determined that 17,4% of the high-risk population were positive for G. vaginalis, 15,9 % for C. trachomatis, 4,3 % for N. gonorrhoeae and 2,9 % for T. vaginalis and Candida albicans and, in the low-risk population, 56,3 % for G. vaginalis, 12,5 % for C. trachomatis, 6,3 % for N. gonorrhoeae and 12,5 % for C. albicans. It was found that 70 % of the sex-workers had 5-10 sexual relationships per week, 10 % 11-15 per week and 20 % 16-20 per week (average above 1 000 annual partners). 15,4 % of the sex-workers did not use protection during their sexual relationships. Conclusions The high rates of infection found in the populations studied presume a high risk of transmission, making it a priority to intervene in these groups to prevent the spread of HIV and STI.

Keywords : Sexual transmission; sex-worker; Colombia; Chlamydia trachomatis; Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

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