sodium-hypochlorite and Sexually-Transmitted-Diseases

The social dynamics of prostitution render prostitutes unable at times to meet basic human needs, vulnerable to violence, and at risk for sexually transmitted disease. Since April 1989 a mobile van from a private foundation has been contacting prostitutes throughout the five boroughs of New York City to provide HIV testing and counseling and to distribute condoms, bleach kits for cleaning needles, and HIV prevention information. Data collected from 1,963 female prostitutes are discussed in this article. Information is provided on demographics, family and living arrangements, sex and drug practices, HIV status and risk reduction practices, and health history. Methods are discussed for social workers to develop creative ways to provide outreach and develop relationships with a vulnerable population that invests much effort in remaining concealed.

Topics: Adult; AIDS Serodiagnosis; Community-Institutional Relations; Condoms; Counseling; Disinfection; Family Characteristics; Female; HIV Infections; Humans; Needles; New York City; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Sex Work; Sexual Behavior; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Social Environment; Social Work; Sodium Hypochlorite; Substance-Related Disorders; Violence

We assessed the efficacy of dish detergent in removing Neisseria gonorrhoeae, HIV-1, herpes simplex virus type 2 and Chlamydia trachomatis organisms from the surface of inoculated female condoms. The reductions achieved in organism counts with dish detergent were compared with those for household bleach and water. New (out-of-package) and pre-washed/re-lubricated female condoms were used. Dish detergent was as efficacious as bleach in reducing organism counts from the surface of inoculated female condoms. Both bleach and dish detergent performed better than water, although >3 log(10) reductions were achieved with water alone. There was little difference in organism reduction between new and pre-washed condoms. Furthermore, 30 seconds of mechanical agitation (washing) had minimal added impact on organism removal. Reduction in organism counts with water alone suggests that dilution effect may have been as important in organism removal as the microbicidal properties of the detergent.

Topics: Bacterial Infections; Chlamydia trachomatis; Condoms, Female; Detergents; Herpesvirus 2, Human; HIV-1; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral; Sodium Hypochlorite