An Epidemiological Study of HIV/STI Prevalence and Sexual Behavior in Female Workers in Surat

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An Epidemiological Study of HIV/STI Prevalence and Sexual Behavior in Female

Workers of Textile Industries in Surat City (2008-09)

Dr.J.K.Kosambiya, Dr. Summaiya Mulla, Dr. Ragini Verma,

Dr.Deepak Umarigar, Dr. Bharat Patel, Dr. Binita Desai

Report submitted to GSACS

Executive Summary

The present study was designed with the main objectives to determine HIV/STI

prevalence and to better understand HIV/STI transmission risk behaviour among

female textile workers of Surat city by using quantitative methodology supported

by qualitative methodology.

Methodology:

The study design was mainly quantitative which is supported by qualitative

methodology (Focus Group Discussions).

For quantitative methodology 250 sample size was taken and 3 focus group

discussions were conducted. Ethical approval was obtained from Human Research

Ethics Committee of Govt. medical College, Surat. Consent of each participant

was also taken prior to their enrollment in the study.

Findings:

Present study revealed that the majority of the participants were between the

ages of 26-35 (48.25%) years and were Hindu. STI positivity was observed highest

(19.35%) in age group of 26-35 years and 18.60 % in age group of 18-25 years.

Almost 70.04% migrated from various states of India and from various districts

of Gujarat.

Most of the female workers (92%) were working in the markets for more than 1

year, maximum of them (72.37%) were engaged in sweeping work.

Out of total 257 participants, 69.26% belonged to socio economic class IV and V.

18 yrs as an age at marriage reported by 89.06% participants and 58.75% reported

first sexual activity before the age of 18 years. STI positivity was higher

among married women compared to other groups.

Out of 257, 47.86% had ever heard about HIV. Around 25% participants knew at

least one mode of transmission of HIV and all of them reported sexual route as

mode of transmission. About 13.61% had knowledge about any one method of

prevention. Out of total 257 participants 42.80% had knowledge about STDs and

majority (96.36%) of them replied vaginal discharge as one of the syndromes of

STDs.

The STI/HIV positivity was observed higher among those who had knowledge of STI

(21.82%) compared to those who did not have knowledge of STI (12.93%).

The survey results revealed that 3.50% had reported sexual activity with

multiple partners. The findings of FGDs also revealed that sexual activity with

multiple partners existed among this group.

Around 37.35% participants reported that they had ever seen condom and 89.11%

denied ever use of condom.

In this study, 28.02% participants had history of STDs in past and among them

the most common (80.55%) syndrome reported was vaginal discharge. Of those who

had history of STDs in past, only 48.61 % had taken treatment.

On clinical examination, 54.86% participants had STIs with majority (49.75%) had

only vaginal discharge followed by only cervical discharge (27.65%).19.15% had

both cervical and vaginal discharge, while a few (around 3%) had lower abdominal

pain, scabies and warts.

The prevalence for all STIs including HIV was 16.73% with prevalence of

bacterial vaginosis 7.0%, candidiasis 4.67%, gonorrhoea 0.39%, trichomoniasis

0.78%, HBsAg 1.56%, syphilis 1.17% and HIV 1.17%

For details http://dr.jkkosambiya.info/pdf1.pdf

Dr.JAYESh KOSAMBIYA

Professor,

Deptt of PSM,

Govt. Medical College, SURAT

e-mail: <jkkosambiya@...>

www.drjkkosambiya.info