STI and HIV prevention in female sex workers at border communities in Central America

OBJECTIVE: To analyze access to STI and HIV prevention services for female sex workers in border communities of Central America. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was carried out in a non-random sample of 558 sex workers, in border communities with and without prevention interventions related to information on human rights, sexual behavior and access to information on prevention/transmission, condoms, HIV testing, contraception, healthcare and condom use. A descriptive analysis of these variables was done and a logistic regression model was used, in order to identify factors associated with condom use. RESULTS: Female sex workers of communities with intervention had greater access to information on prevention (99 vs 87%), condoms (98 vs 75%), HIV testing (89 vs 61%), contraception (74 vs 65%), gynecological services (83 vs 57%), and condom use with clients, 3.9 (IC:1.2-12.7), compared to workers in communities without intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The observed differences must be considered in a more general framework related to sociocultural characteristics and population mobility in border contexts, as well as to the organization of healthcare services.