Sociodemographic characteristics and incidence of gonorrhoea in prostitutes working near the Thai-Burmese border.

A study was conducted to determine the sociodemographic characteristics and incidence of gonorrhoea among the prostitutes working in Mae Sot District, Tak in 1988. Of the 238 prostitutes included in the study, 130 were Thai and 108 were Burmese. About 55% of the Thai group and 65% of the Burmese engaged in prostitution before being 19 years old. Most of them experienced sexual intercourse at early age of life. The charge per sex partner ranged from 50-500 baht (US$2-20), with a median of 100 baht (US$4) for both groups. The Thai prostitutes had a significantly higher mean number of clients per day and received more Thai clients than the Burmese. Anal and oral sex were not commonly practised among these prostitutes. Approximately 14% of the prostitutes' clients in both group used condoms. The mean infection rate of gonorrhoea was significantly greater in the Thai prostitute group than the Burmese. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the infection rate of both groups was inversely associated with the percentage of client using condoms and the duration of having been prostitutes, and positively associated with the percentage of Thai clients. The program for STD control should be directed towards the increase use of condoms, spermicides, and other barrier methods, and massive health education program on safer sex to this high risk group and the general population.