Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis B andHepatitis C Virus Antibodies and Hepatitis B Antigen AmongCommercial Sex Workers in Japan

摘要

Objective:To investigate the prevalence of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus(HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), and of hepatitis B surface (HBs) antigen in commercial sex workers (CSW) whoattended a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic in Tokyo.Methods:Surveys were conducted on 308 CSW and 384 control subjects for HIV antibody or 241 control subjectsfor HBs antibody and antigen and HCV antibody.Results:HIV antibodywas not detected in either CSW or control subjects. The positive rates for HBs antigen andantibody were 0.6 and 23.4%, respectively, in the CSW group, and 0.4 and 71.8% in the control group. The HCVantibody positive rate was 3.2% in the CSW group and 0.4% in the control group.Conclusion:A statistically significant difference between the two groups was observed only in HCV antibodypositive rate. STD checkup for CSW alone is inadequate – STD health education and screening for the generalpublic are also required.