Socioeconomic factors and risk behaviors: A comparison of mobile and non-mobile female sex workers in Peru

BACKGROUND: Mobility patterns of high risk groups have shaped the evolution of sexually transmitted infections (STI), including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in several regions of the world. In Peru, female sex workers (FSW) are a high risk group that tends to be mobile.

OBJECTIVE: To compare socioeconomic and behavioral characteristics between mobile and non-mobile FSW in Peru.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 4082 FSW from 20 Peruvian cities selected by time-location sampling between October and December 2005. Mobile women were defined as having done sex work in at least one city away from their city of residence in the last 12 months.

RESULTS: Of 4082 FSW, 59% FSW were mobile. Using multivariate analysis, mobility was independently associated with being single (OR: 1.70, p<0.001), under 25 (OR: 1.68, p<0.001), completing secondary school (OR: 1.16, p<0.05), working in brothels (OR: 1.30, p<0.05) or night clubs (OR: 2.04, p<0.001) compared to working in bars or streets, and higher number of partners (OR: 1.02, p<0.001). Although reported condom use with the last sex partners was lower among mobile FSW (OR .81, p<0.05), they reported spending more money on purchasing condoms (OR 1.03; p<0.001).

CONCLUSION: Mobility is common among FSW in Peru. Mobile FSW have more sex partners and lower condom use, which may place them at higher risk for infection. Targeted interventions and multi-sector policies that expedite access to STI/HIV testing and treatment, and condom distribution to newly arrived FSW are highly recommended to reduce the spread of STI/HIV in Peru.