A study of sexually transmitted infections and reproductive tract infections among the bar girls in Mumbai, India.

Abstract

There is a continuous and increasing trend in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide. There are severe consequences of STI especially among women practicing high-risk behavior. Control of STI among women practicing high-risk behavior is an important strategy to reduce HIV transmission. In the present study, STIs and reproductive tract infections (RTI) were assessed among bar girls in an urban metro city. The cross-sectional study was conducted among bar girls residing in an urban settlement from May 2018 to December 2018. 195 bar girls randomly selected from among the registered bar girls for HIV prevention services with a local NGO and willing to participate were enrolled after obtaining informed consent. They were interviewed in person and clinical examination was conducted for assessing symptoms and signs of STI and RTI. The median age of women was 26 years. 45% women reported sexual activity 3-6 times/week. 49.7% women reported symptom of vaginal discharge in the preceding 3 months, 52.3% women reported pain in lower abdomen, 10.2% women complained of genital ulcer disease, 67.2% women reported itching in the genital area, and 36.4% women had complaint of dyspareunia. 90.2% women in the present study had at least one symptom of STI/RTI. High-risk sexual behavior of bar girls with their regular clients puts them at a higher risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS. Focused efforts need to be put in to encourage reporting of symptoms for early diagnosis and management of STI/RTIs.