We studied the frequency of venereal disease in prostitutes working at massage parlours in Santiago. The mean age was 24 years and half of them had high school or university studies. In spite of frequent sexual contacts averaging 2. Notably, AIDS infection was not detected. Vaginitis due to Trichomonas or Candida infection was the commonest problem and this was half as frequent among gum preservative users.
Marital condition, age, obstetrical history and other variables were not related to genital infection.
PIP: A sample of prostitutes from the eastern area of Santiago, Chile, who attended the Dermatology Service of the Salvador Hospital in January-February were studied to determine the current incidence of sexually transmitted disease among prostitutes. Approximately prostitutes attend the service for required monthly health examinations. The women worked in established locales such as saunas, massage parlors, and nightclubs.
None were uncontrolled street prostitutes. The average age was The average parity was 1. The average number of sexual contacts per day was 2. No cases of HIV infection were seen. The frequency of vaginitis did no appear to be associated with the number of sexual contacts, but other pathologies were more common in women with more partners.
Women who always used condoms were only half as likely to have genital pathologies or vaginitis as women who never used condoms.
