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Gonorrhea Screening in a Prostitute Population

From the Naval Medical Research Unit #2, Taipei, Taiwan.

Abstract

A group of prostitutes had cultures taken and were interviewed to determine rate and risk factors for gonorrhea infection in a weekly screened prostitute population in Taiwan. All cultures were taken from the endocervix by sterile swab during a speculum examination and immediately plated on Thayer Martin media. Positive results were confirmed by Oxidase reaction and sugar fermentation. Forty-three of 515 known cases were positive (8.3%). This is felt to represent a reinfection rate as all participants are screened weekly and promptly treated if positive. Age, douche frequency, and pregnancy history did not differ significantly among the positive and negative culture groups. Increasing frequency of intercourse per day did increase the chance of infection. Infection rate decreased with length of employment. Positive culture rates associated with various methods of contraception were as follows: oral contraceptives 7.0% (315), IUD 8.3% (24), condom 21.1% (33), diaphragm 0% (17), surgery 0% (5), and none 10.1% (118). The risk of gonorrhea infection in a prostitute population is directly related to the exposure rate during the period between screening. The use of oral contraceptives did not increase the risk of infection. The role of mechanical barriers in the prevention of gonorrhea infection needs further study.