Research Article

Genital Tract Infections, Bacterial Vaginosis, HIV, and Reproductive Health Issues among Lima-Based Clandestine Female Sex Workers

Table 1

Demographic, sex behavior, and reproductive health characteristics of 212 clandestine female sex workers: Lima, Peru, 2003.

(%) or mean ± SD

Age28.0 ± 7.0
Years of education
 None3(1.4)
 1–639(18.4)
 7–1084(39.6)
 11 (completed secondary education)58(27.4)
 ≥1228(13.2)
Years of education9.1 ± 3.1
Born outside of Lima93(43.9)
Living with spouse or male partner66(31.1)
Number of dependents
 020(9.4)
 1-2101(47.6)
 ≥391(42.9)
Age at 1st sexual intercourse15.6 ± 2.5
Age at 1st sex work transaction23.5 ± 6.1
Years since self-identification as sex worker4.5 ± 4.6
Workdays per week, SD5.5 ± 1.3
Number of clients in past 7 daysa31.1 ± 25.5
Type of sex work place
 Street or street park107(50.5)
 House of appointments51(24.1)
 Brothel39(18.4)
 Massage parlor7(3.3)
 Other8(3.8)
Description of second job other than sex workb (N = 59)
 Vendor18(8.5)
 Paid employee15(7.1)
 Provide service assistance14(6.6)
 Produce products for sale10(4.7)
 Other1(0.5)
No uterus/does not menstruate5(2.4)
Contraceptive method (N = 207)
 No contraceptive method88(42.5)
 Tubal ligation22(10.6)
 Condom20(9.7)
 Oral contraceptive77(37.2)
Pregnancies
 010(4.7)
 1-294(44.3)
 ≥3108(50.9)
Induced abortionsc ( = 202)
 065(30.7)
 178(36.8)
 237(17.5)
 ≥322(10.4)

aStudy participation criteria required a minimum of 9 partners in the past week. bAmong 59 respondents; one observation missing. cAmong 202 women who have been pregnant.