Background: Female sex workers (FSWs) in many places are often considered to be highly vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, data on the STI epidemiology in FSWs are lacking in Switzerland. Our main goal was to evaluate the prevalence of six STIs (HIV, hepatitis B and C viruses, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoea, and syphilis) among local FSWs.
Methods: A prospective exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample of adult (≥ 18 years) FSWs at the Lausanne University Hospital (Switzerland) from April 1 2015 to December 31 2016. FSWs who worked in street sex venues, massage parlours and brothels were approached for recruitment. All participants were offered screening for the aforementioned STIs free of charge, and received immunisation against viral hepatitis when indicated.