250259 Adult Film Industry Workers: High Burden of Oral Pharyngeal, Rectal and Urethral/Vaginal Gonorrhea and Chlamydial Infections

Monday, October 31, 2011

Cristina Rodriguez-Hart, MPH , Sexually Transmitted Disease Program, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA
Robert Rigg, MD , West Oaks Urgent Care Center, Canoga Park, CA
Michael Chien, PhD , Sexually Transmitted Disease Program, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA
Getahun Aynalem, MD, MPH , Sexually Transmitted Disease Program, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA
Peter R. Kerndt, MD, MPH , Sexually Transmitted Disease Program, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA
Background: Information on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among adult film industry (AFI) workers is limited. Workers frequently engage in oral and anal intercourse but are not screened at these anatomic sites. We conducted a study in order to determine rates of unrecognized STIs. Methods: A consecutive sample of AFI workers recruited from a primary care clinic in Los Angeles, CA were offered pharyngeal, rectal, and urethral/vaginal testing for gonorrhea (GC), and rectal and urethral/vaginal testing for Chlamydia (CT), along with a brief questionnaire on condom use and symptoms. Results: Between May-September 2010, 182 AFI workers were recruited; 124 (68%) females, and 58 (32%) males. Fifty (28%) had a confirmed case of GC and/or CT; 32 (26%) among females, 18 (31%) among males. Eighteen workers (14%) were infected at all 3 anatomic sites. Symptoms were present for only 27 (15%) cases. Oral pharyngeal GC infection was highest among all anatomic sites screened, for both females and males, 20% and 22% respectively. Only 47 (26%) workers reported any condom use for vaginal or anal intercourse during adult film productions. Conclusion: Performers in the AFI have a high burden of STIs. Medical monitoring should include screening at all anatomic sites, irrespective of symptoms. Condom use in the adult film industry is low. Condoms would protect workers from STIs and should be required for all adult film production.

Learning Areas:
Epidemiology
Occupational health and safety
Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control
Provision of health care to the public

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the limitations of current sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening protocols within the adult film industry (AFI). 2. Identify the prevalence of symptomatic and asymptomatic chlamydia and gonorrhea infections by anatomic site among AFI workers. 3. List measures to protect workers in the AFI from STIs, including barrier protection and medical monitoring.

Keywords: STD, Occupational Disease

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I currently have an MPH. I was the Project Coordinator and a Co-PI for the study that resulted in this submitted abstract. As Project Coordinator I wrote the IRB proposal, designed the study, coordinated study logistics, did all the data entry, and analyzed the results.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

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.

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