Document 0954
 DOCN  M94A0954
 TI    Prevalence and determinants of STD/HIV in an urban migrant population.
 DT    9412
 AU    Jain D; Sahgal K; Bhalla P; van Dam CJ; Dept. of Preventive and Social
       Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical; College, New Delhi, India.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(2):242 (abstract no. PC0330). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94371621
 AB    OBJECTIVE: A community of rickshawpullers (men manually plying tricycles
       to ferry passengers and goods) of Delhi, India, was studied for (a)
       prevalence of STDs and HIV infection and (b) demographic and behavioural
       factors related to STD/HIV. METHODS: During 1992-93, a cross sectional
       survey was conducted among a multistage sample of 523 rickshawpullers
       from urban slums of Delhi. For STDs, Syndromic Diagnosis approach was
       adopted using minimal laboratory support. Serology for syphilis (VDRL)
       and HIV (ELISA, Immunocomb) was performed with consent. Demographic and
       behavioral characteristics were studied. Chi-square test was applied for
       statistical analysis. RESULTS: All 523 subjects (15-45 years) were
       migrants, majority being married and living away from family.
       Symptomatic STDs were diagnosed amongst 51 (10.2%) of the 505 clinically
       examined. STD syndromes observed were: Genital ulcer (4%), urethritis
       (2.6%), genital warts (0.8%), inguinal mass (0.4%), and others (2.4%).
       Of 323 samples tested, 7.7% and 1.2% respectively were seropositive for
       syphilis and HIV. Premarital or extramarital sex was reported by 22.4%,
       of which 83% was with a commercial sex worker. Condom usage rate was
       only 4%. STDs were significantly greater in persons with more than 3
       partners per year (p < 0.05) and with increasing number of lifetime
       partners (chi 2 for trend, p < 0.005). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The
       high prevalence of STDs highlights the need for targeted integrated
       approach including IEC, comprehensive health services and social
       interventions like housing and community based support, to facilitate
       behavioural modification and STD/HIV risk reduction in similar migrant
       populations. The study emphasizes the need for further epidemiological
       studies of the determinants of sexual behaviour.
 DE    Adolescence  Adult  AIDS Serodiagnosis  Human  HIV
       Infections/*EPIDEMIOLOGY  India/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Male  Middle Age  Sex
       Behavior  Sexually Transmitted Diseases/*EPIDEMIOLOGY  Syphilis
       Serodiagnosis  *Transients and Migrants  MEETING ABSTRACT

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