El Paso Sex Workers and Chlamydia

The University of Texas, College of Health Sciences, is researching the border cities with Mexico, including El Paso and the sexually transmitted diseases among the female sex workers (FSW).  The scientists from UT are researching the female sex workers aged 18 years and older without any known HIV infections.  Chlamydia was more prevalent among the younger female sex workers and the drug use associated with the sex partners, clients and the FSW.  With over 100,000 new cases of Chlamydia annually in El Paso, scientists are researching all risk factors to seek ways to decrease the growing number of STDs, including Chlamydia.

Casual and Steady Sex partners

During the research, the younger FSW were more prone to drug use and then having unprotected sex with others.  Mexican Border TownInterviews of the women were done and by collecting data to form a base line of sexual exploration between casual sex partners and those that also have a steady sex partner.  Among the female sex workers that lived with a steady sex partner the condoms were used less with the steady partner.  Chlamydia when undetected has continued to spread and opening the FSW up to other STDs.

Border Cities and Drugs

El Paso and other border cities are the center of drug trafficking and many migrant workers.  Female sex workers are registered and unregistered and as with many FSW that work both sides of the border, most are not seeking proper medical care.  Condom use was assessed and the total number of sex acts that the FSW participated.  The sex acts explored where the sex was protected and unprotected along with other risky behaviors such as drug use or needle sharing.  Those FSW that tested positive for Chlamydia had used methamphetamine and other similar type drugs before or after sex.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease and is called the “silent” disease as so many women are infected, but have little or no recognized symptoms.  Any person that is sexually active can become infected with Chlamydia when having unprotected sex.  Younger females are even more susceptible to infection of the cervix and Chlamydia attacks the cervical region of the female body.  Chlamydia can be transmitted through oral, vaginal and anal sexual explorations.  The more sexual partners and the more sex acts where a condom is not used increases, the opportunities for sex partners to acquire Chlamydia and other STDs.  The symptoms are similar to the flu and are easily ignored until the disease has spread and discharge and other symptoms appear.  By the time the other symptoms appear, the damage is done and the FSW could be left with infertility problems.  This is an issue should a family ever be desired.

The University of Texas researchers that interviewed the women encouraged the FSW to have more routine STD testing at an El Paso testing center or clinic.  The data assisted health agencies to continue an outreach to the FSW to establish better health care especially to maintain sexual health and to slow the spread of STDs.  With the spread of sexually transmitted disease in El Paso among the FSW, the education and data is used to educate the general public on the need of STD testing for overall health maintenance.

Leave a comment