Seroprevalence of AIDS in Chilean male and female prostitutes. II. Male prostitution

ELISA tests to screen for HIV infections and a survey concerning risk factors were administered to 65 male homosexuals seeking routine health care in a sexually transmitted disease clinic in Santiago Chile between October 1987-February 1988. The men ranged in age from 16-65 years and averaged 27. 40 of the 65 men were prostitutes. Among the total sample 35 of the men assumed a passive role in the sex act 9 an active role and 21 a mixed role. 18% took hormones regularly 48% used female clothing at least occasionally and 3 had surgically changed their sex. 46% hid their homosexuality. 16 had maintained sexual relationships with women. 55% did not use a condom 21% occasionally did so and 17% did so routinely. 49% reported ever having a sexually transmitted disease. Most knew they were at risk of AIDS but many believed that routine check-ups (which do not include the ELISA test) indicated absence of HIV infection. 12% had donated blood in the past 5 years 14% had used intravenous drugs and 71% had been jailed. Among the 40 prostitutes 29 were exercising prostitution at the time of the examination 22 actively and 7 occasionally. 6 had donated blood in the past 5 years. The number of clients in the 24 hours preceding the interview ranged from 1-5 and averaged 1.5. 35% never used condoms 35% did so occasionally and 27% always did so. 1 patient a 29-year-old man was found seropositive for HIV with the result confirmed by western blot.