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Review
. 2010 May;23(3):215-20.
doi: 10.1097/YCO.0b013e32833864d5.

Sexual and drug use behaviors associated with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in the Mexico-US border region

Monica D Ulibarri  1 , Steffanie A Strathdee, Thomas L Patterson
Affiliations
Review

Sexual and drug use behaviors associated with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in the Mexico-US border region

Monica D Ulibarri et al. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2010 May.

Abstract

Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to summarize the latest research regarding HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) risk among female sex workers (FSWs) along the Mexico-US border. Although Mexico has a low prevalence of HIV overall, HIV prevalence among FSWs in Tijuana is quite high, and even higher among FSWs who inject drugs (FSW-IDUs). Efforts to better understand and curtail the HIV epidemic among FSWs in this region are greatly needed.

Recent findings: A brief HIV/STI risk reduction intervention for FSWs was successful in decreasing HIV/STI sexual risk behavior with clients among FSWs in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. However, the intervention was less effective among FSW-IDUs, and had no effect on FSWs' condom use with their noncommercial partners. Whereas the majority of research thus far has focused on FSWs' individual-level risk factors, comparatively less is known about their clients and noncommercial sexual partners who may heavily influence their behavior, and engage in high-risk behaviors themselves.

Summary: Further studies including FSWs' intimate partners and clients are needed as well as interventions specific to FSW-IDUs. Targeting the most at-risk populations and reducing both sexual and injection-risk behaviors simultaneously may curb the growing HIV epidemic in the Mexico-US border region.

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References

    1. Strathdee SA, Philbin MM, Semple SJ, et al. Correlates of injection drug use among female sex workers in two Mexico-U.S. border cities. Drug And Alcohol Dependence. 2008;92(1–3):132–40. 2008/01/01/ - PMC - PubMed
    1. Patterson TL, Semple SJ, Fraga M, et al. Comparison of sexual and drug use behaviors between female sex workers in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Subst Use Misuse. 2006;41(10–12):1535–49. 2006/// - PubMed
    1. Bucardo J, Brouwer KC, Magis-Rodriguez C, et al. Historical trends in the production and consumption of illicit drugs in Mexico: implications for the prevention of blood borne infections. Drug And Alcohol Dependence. 2005;79(3):281–93. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Secretaria de Salud. Encuesta Nacional de Adicciones. 2002 [cited 2008 15 April, 2008]; Available from: http://www.consulta.com.mx/interiores/99_pdfs/15_otros_pdf/ENA.pdf.
    1. U.S. Department of State Travel Alert. 2009 [cited 2009 1 March, 2009]; Available from: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3028.html.

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