Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Volume 30, Issue 8, 2003, Pages 664-670

Participatory mapping of sex trade and enumeration of sex workers using capture-recapture methodology in Diego-Suarez, Madagascar (Article)

Kruse N. , Behets F.M.-T.F.* , Vaovola G. , Burkhardt G. , Barivelo T. , Amida X. , Dallabetta G.
  • a Family Health International, Arlington, VA, United States
  • b Department of Medicine, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
  • c FIVMATA, Diego-Suarez, Madagascar
  • d Peace Corps, Diego-Suarez, Madagascar
  • e Ministry of Health, Antananarivo, Madagascar
  • f Ministry of Health, Antananarivo, Madagascar
  • g Family Health International, Arlington, VA, United States, 2102A McGavran-Greenberg Hall, CB 7435, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7400, United States

Abstract

Background: Capture-recapture methodology has been employed to estimate the size of hidden or difficult-to-reach human populations such as sex workers, homeless persons, and intravenous drug users. This study took place in the context of efforts to improve the quality of curative and preventive services for sexually transmitted infections offered to sex workers in Diego-Suarez, Madagascar in partnership with sex workers. Goal: The goal of this study was to better understand sex-trading practices, map out sex work sites, and estimate the size of a mobile sex-worker population in Diego-Suarez, Madagascar using methods that can be reproduced in other resource-poor settings. Study Design: Forty sex workers were trained to function as field researchers. Key informants in designated neighborhoods were identified and interviewed. Basic maps of sex-trade sites were designed by hand. The number of sex workers in Diego-Suarez was estimated using capture-recapture methodology. An educational brochure was used to "capture" sex workers during a first phase, and "recapture" 2 weeks later. Results: Most sex trade was street based and mobile. Capture-recapture methods estimated a total of 2684 sex workers (95% CI: 2588-2780) in Diego-Suarez, or approximately 12% of the 15- to 49-year-old female population in the city. Conclusion: Geographic mapping and capture-recapture proved to be low-cost and relatively easy to use techniques for counting a hard-to-reach population, such as female street-based sex workers. Sex workers can be capable fieldworkers, and their active participation in research concerning sex work should be considered whenever possible. A high proportion of women of reproductive age were found to engage in sex work, indicating that there is an urgent need to scale up sexually transmitted infection and HIV prevention activities targeting sex workers, their sexual partners, and the general population.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

virus infection Human immunodeficiency virus infection mass screening methodology Population Surveillance human middle aged Odds Ratio Madagascar Confidence Intervals capture recapture methodology sexually transmitted disease Sexually Transmitted Diseases population risk Humans Adolescent mathematics female clinical article prostitution Article infection control adult infection risk
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0041566657&doi=10.1097%2f01.OLQ.0000079523.04451.82&partnerID=40&md5=1cee3d1f970bf169092bc3aa817cfcd1
DOI: 10.1097/01.OLQ.0000079523.04451.82
ISSN: 01485717
Cited by: 32
Original Language: English