Prevalence of HIV in sex workers attended in a health institution in Medellín, Colombia

BackgroundDespite being a key group for infection control, research on the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among female sex sorkers (FSWs) in Colombia is scarce and outdated.MethodsThis is a prevalence study involving 739 FSWs who attended a healthcare provider in Medellín between 2019 and 2023. Data were collected from medical records to capture sociodemographic and health information. The prevalence of HIV was determined with its 95% confidence interval, and comparisons of HIV prevalence with sociodemographic and behavioral factors were conducted using Fisher's exact test and prevalence ratios. Analyses were performed using SPSS 29.0.ResultsMost FSWs had a primary education or less, and 50% were enrolled in the contributory health regime. Sixty-two percent reported using hallucinogens during sex, and 17% had relationships with individuals diagnosed with Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). The prevalence of HIV was 1.4%, with a higher prevalence among those with a previous STI diagnosis, at 12%. No significant differences were found based on other sociodemographic or behavioral variables.ConclusionThis study reveals a higher HIV prevalence compared to previous studies among FSWs, indicating the need for new health programs specifically tailored for this group, particularly for women with prior STIs, as they represent a key population for HIV infection that demands better healthcare approaches. Additionally, further research is needed to understand how sociodemographic changes impact infection dynamics in this population.