Vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections of women who have sex with women

Abstract The scope of this study was to assess the degree of vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections of women who have sex with women. It involved a cross-sectional study of 150 women between 2015 and 2017. A structured questionnaire was applied, and a gynecological examination was performed to diagnose Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis and papillomavirus. Blood tests were conducted to detect HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis. The outcome variable was sexual infection and the independent variables comprised the vulnerability level in the individual, social and programmatic dimensions. Data analyses were performed through logistic regression. The results showed a high prevalence of infections (47.3%) and only variables of individual vulnerability were associated with the outcome. The incidence of infection was four times higher among women who had had prior infections. The fact of never having had a blood test tripled the chance of having sexually transmitted infections. The fact of also having sexual intercourse with men in the previous 12-month-period increased the risk of the outcome by a factor of approximately nine. The conclusion drawn is that these women are vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections due to their individual vulnerability.

摘要 本研究旨在评估女女性行为人群罹患性传播感染的易感性程度。研究于2015至2017年间开展，为一项纳入150名女性的横断面研究。研究采用结构化问卷调查，并通过妇科检查诊断沙眼衣原体（Chlamydia trachomatis）、淋病奈瑟菌（Neisseria gonorrhoeae）、阴道毛滴虫（Trichomonas vaginalis）及人乳头瘤病毒（papillomavirus）感染；同时通过血液检测筛查HIV、乙型肝炎及梅毒。本研究的因变量为性感染情况，自变量涵盖个体、社会及规划层面的易感性水平。数据分析采用logistic回归分析。研究结果显示，性传播感染的总体患病率达47.3%，且仅个体层面的易感性变量与感染结局存在关联。既往曾发生感染的女性，其感染发生率为无既往感染者的4倍；从未接受过血液检测的女性，罹患性传播感染的风险升至3倍；近12个月内同时与男性发生性行为的女性，其感染风险升高约9倍。本研究得出结论：女女性行为人群因个体层面的易感性特征，面临较高的性传播感染风险。