Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Risks in Female Sex Workers in the China-vietnam Border County of Hekou

Objective To survey the prevalence and risk factors of HSV-2 among Chinese and Vietnamese female sex workers （FSW） in the border county of Hekou, Yunnan Province, China. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted on demographics, sexual behavior, medical history, and drug use among FSWs. Laboratory samples were obtained to test for HSV-2 and other STIs such as HIV, Syphilis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Bacterial vaginosis, and Yeast infections. Cervicitis and genital warts were also diagnosed. Results Of the 345 FSWs who participated in this study, 112 （32.5%） were ethnic Chinese and 233 （67.5） were Vietnamese. Among FSWs in Hekou, the prevalence rates were 58.3% for HSV-2, 5.5% for HIV, and 4.1% for bacterial vaginosis （BV）. Age 〈21 （OR： 0.5; 95% CI： 0.3, 0.8）, duration of commercial sex work 〈3 months （OR： 0.5; 95% CI： 0.3, 0.8）, oral and vaginal sex with the last client （as opposed to only vaginal sex） （OR： 1.6; 95% CI： 1.0, 2.7）, HIV （OR： 11.4; 95% Cl： 1.5, 87.2）, and bacterial vaginosis （BV） （OR 5.6; 95% CI： 1.2, 26.9） were significantly correlated with HSV-2 infection. Conclusion Multivariate analysis showed that several factors were significantly correlated with the high prevalence of HSV-2 in FSWs in the border area between China and Vietnam. Further studies and interventions are needed for HSV-2 epidemiology in the border area.

Health-related attitudes and risk factors for sexually transmitted infections of Chinese women who have sex with women

Background Previous studies have shown evidence of health-related risk behaviors among women who have sex with women （WSW）, such as sex with men, multiple bisexual partners, and drug use. Women who have sex with women have also been known to avoid routine physical examinations and conceal their same-sex history from physicians, which can affect their ability to receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment. No previous research has targeted women who have sex with women in China. We sought to describe women who have sex with women in China and explore risk factors for their reproductive tract infections （RTI）/sexually transmitted infections （STI）. Methods Participants were recruited through outreach in venues and online for a cross-sectional study. Data were collected using interviews and laboratory tests. Results We recruited 224 women who have sex with women. In the year preceding their participation in the study, 92% （206/224） of women reported sexual relations with women. The RTI rates were： gonorrhea （15.8%）, chlamydia （3.5%）, syphilis （0.5%）, bacterial vaginosis （14.4%）, hepatitis B virus （HBV） （0.9%）, hepatitis C virus （HCV） （0.5%）, and candidiasis （6.9%）. No HIV or herpes simplex virus （HSV） positive cases were detected. Factors associated with gonorrhea infection were non-Beijing local residency （odds ratio （OR）=2.1, 95% confidence interval （C/）： 1.2-3.8） and genital-genital contact （OR=3.1, 95% CI： 1.3-7.2）; factors associated with curable STI （excluding bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis, HBV and HCV） were non-Beijing local residency （OR=1.9; 95% CI： 1.2-3.0） and bleeding during or after sex （OR=18.1; 95% CI： 5.2-62.6）; and the factor associated with RTI （including all the infections tested） was bleeding during or after sex （OR=37.8, 95% CI： 11.2-127.4）. Conclusions Behaviors that may cause RTI/STI exist among Chinese women who have sex with women. Researchers should consider these behaviors when planninq correspondin.q prevention and interventions.