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Estimates of primary and secondary syphilis rates in persons with
HIV in the United States, 2002.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases 2005;32(5):265-269.
Chesson HW, Heffelfinger JD, Voigt RF, Collins D.
Abstract
The relationships between commercial sex work, drug use, and sexually transmitted
infections (STI) in St. Petersburg, Russia were assessed using qualitative
research methods and an examination of existing research, surveillance and
epidemiology data. The rapid assessment methodology included in-depth qualitative
interviews with key informants, naturalistic observations of commercial sex
work and drug use sites, geo-mapping, and a critical review of the available
surveillance, epidemiology, and sociological data. Patterns of commercial
sex work and drug use in St. Petersburg are described. The existing surveillance
data attributes infections to injected drug use over and above any other
risk category. However, examination of the clinic and epidemiology data suggests
that HIV infection may be increasing fastest among groups that are acquiring
HIV through sexual transmission. Targeted screening studies of STI and HIV
morbidity among populations that are not included in the surveillance algorithm
are needed, such as commercial sex workers, street youth, and the homeless.
Sexual history taking to better characterize the proportion of cases that
result from sex between male partners would also be helpful.