Risk Factors to Gonorrhoea among Female Sex Workers in Three Cities in Indonesia
Luxi Riajuni Pasaribu and Nelly Puspandari
National Institute of Health Research and Development, Ministry of Health Republic of Indonesia
Abstract
Background Female Sex Worker (FSW) in Indonesia also has high-risk behavior to STIs and HIV. Gonorrhoea (GO) is one of the major infections. The AIDS and STI program has many approaches to tackle and WHO suggests correct and consistent use of condoms programme. However, there are many conditions that can affect the practice of the programme. The aim of this paper is to describe risks factors to GO prevalence among FSW in 3 cities. Method The data that analyzed originated from cross sectional study of GO resistancies and the respondents were 880 FSW chosen by cluster random sampling from Tangerang, Palembang, and East Jakarta in 2012. Endocervical swab were collected from respondents. The Diagnosis of gonorrhea confirmed in accordance with the results of microscopic examination after being given Gram staining, as well as culture on Jembec media to confirm. Demographic and behavioral data collected through structured questionnaire. Result The prevalence of GO among respondents was 25.8% (227/880). Demographic characteristics of respondents were mostly at age range 18-63 (96.14%), mostly direct sex worker (82.39%), almost half were Junior High School graduated (42.27%), and 63.75% divorced. Some demographic data related to the highest prevalence of GO were among direct FSW there was 28.4% cases (p=0.001), among FSW younger than 18 old years there was 47.06% cases (p=0.006), among not married and divorced there were 31.75% and 27.99% cases (p=0.001 and p=0.002), and among Junior High School graduated FSW there were 31.18% cases (p=0.012). Relation between behavior and GO were found on sex debut before 17 years old (p=0.024), condom use in the last week (p=0.017), and multi-ways of sex intercourse (p=0.041). Health promotion that was given by pimps and Outreach worker has no strong relation to GO cases. There is possibility of drug resistance that triggered by self-prescribed prophylactic antibiotic use, together with inconsistent condom use has cause high GO prevalence. Conclusion Risk factors from demographic and behavior ailments still impacting GO cases among FSW. There is urgent need to educate them to protect themselves besides reducing the younger FSW approaching. Although program has been carried out, there is a trend of more unprotective the condom use to GO cases. A comprehensive STIs-HIV prevention program is required.
Keywords: condom use, female sex worker, Gonorrhoea, risk factors, Indonesia
Topic: Communicable and Non Communicable Diseases