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Abstract #153108

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Eileen A. Yam, MPH¹, Kara Richmond, MPH², Freddy Tinajeros, MPH¹, Rita Revollo, MD¹, and Sandra G. García, Sc D³. (1) Population Council, Escondida 110, Col. Villa Coyoacan, Mexico City, 04000, Mexico, 52 55 5999 8657, eileenyam@juno.com, (2) Independent consultant, 712 La Veta Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108, (3) Reproductive Health Program, Population Council, Escondida 110, Col. Villa Coyoacán, Mexico City, Mexico

Background: Current data is scarce regarding the sexual and health behaviors of Bolivian female sex workers (FSWs). We sought to document the sexual and health practices of FSWs in six Bolivian cities. Methods: Female study staff conducted interviewer-administered face-to-face surveys of FSWs aged 18 and over in public clinics in Cochabamba, El Alto, La Paz, Oruro, Santa Cruz, and Sucre. Results: 1,252 women agreed to participate. Nearly half (47.4%) had been previously diagnosed with an STI. The vast majority reported that in the past month, they always used condoms with both established clients (87.1%) and new clients (89.6%). However, of the 813 (64.9%) that had regular partners, just 8.9% always used condoms with them. More than 96% stated they had vaginal sex with established and unknown clients as well as with partners. More than 99% reported they never had dry sex with any type of client or partner and more than 85% stated they never had anal sex with any clients or partners. More than half reported that they never had oral sex with established clients, unknown clients, or with partners. Of the 619 (49.4%) that reported using vaginal douches, 35.4% did so daily. Conclusions: Bolivian FSWs use condoms regularly with clients, but are much less diligent about condom use with regular partners. Vaginal douching is a common practice that should be discouraged by future educational efforts.

Learning Objectives:

• To understand the sexual and health behaviors of Bolivian female sex workers

Keywords: Condom Use, Sex Workers

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

• Slides (pdf) or Handout