Medication Use by Female Sex Workers for Treatment and Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Chiang Rai, Thailand
- 1 November 1997
- journal article
- Published by Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) in Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Vol. 24 (10), 593-598
- https://doi.org/10.1097/00007435-199711000-00008
Abstract
Female sex workers (FSWs) in Thailand are at high risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Although regular attendance at public STD clinics is required, FSWs may frequently use medications obtained in the community for STDs. To determine the frequency of use of medications for STDs from sources other than public STD clinics among FSWs in Thailand and to describe factors associated with such medication use. A cross-sectional survey of FSWs attending the public STD clinic in Chiang Rai, Thailand, was performed. Of the 200 FSWs interviewed, 55% had ever used medications to treat or prevent STDs from a source other than a public STD Clinic, and 36% had done so in the prior year. Most use (79%) was to treat STD symptoms, and medication was most frequently obtained directly from a pharmacy (54%). This use of community medication for STDs was associated with younger age, non-Thai ethnicity, seeking STD treatment during the current clinic visit, and brothel-based sex work. Use of medications from various sources in the community was common among these FSWs. Further research is needed to determine the appropriateness of this treatment. Innovative methods to ensure adequate quality STD care by community providers and to improve the health-care-seeking behaviors of these high-risk women are needed.Keywords
This publication has 17 references indexed in Scilit:
- The 100% Condom Program in ThailandAIDS, 1996
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Self-Treatment for Sexually Transmitted Diseases Among Northern Thai MenSexually Transmitted Diseases, 1996
- Antibiotic Prophylaxis Among Commercial Sex Workers in Cebu City, PhilippinesSexually Transmitted Diseases, 1996
- Condom use in Thailand: how much is it slowing the HIV/AIDS epidemic?AIDS, 1995
- Health care-seeking behavior related to the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases in Kenya.American Journal of Public Health, 1994
- STD knowledge and behaviours among clients of female sex workers in bali, indonesiaAIDS Care, 1994
- Impact of Thailand's HIV-control programme as indicated by the decline of sexually transmitted diseasesThe Lancet, 1994
- Probability of female-to-male transmission of HIV-1 in ThailandThe Lancet, 1994
- HIV-1 infection in young men in northern ThailandAIDS, 1993
- The epidemiology of HIV infection and AIDS in ThailandAIDS, 1991