Hepatitis C is the second major endemic viral infection in the world after HIV. In the USA it is the first liver transplant indication. Currently, the main risk factors to develop this disease are history of blood transfusions and IV drug usage. Sexual transmission remains controversial and accounts probably for less than 5% of case transmissions.
Purpose: Determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in female sexual workers from Northern Lima and identify other risk factors.
Material and methods: A prospective study was performed in female sexual workers from Northern Lima. Risk factors were assessed in a survey; at the time of the assessment they were HIV negative. The COBAS CORE Anti-HCV EIA II Test was used.
Results: HCV serology was negative in all 98 sexual workers. 90% used protection with condoms, none used IV drugs and only one had a previous history of blood transfusion.
Conclusions: HCV prevalence in female sexual workers evaluated was zero. They have few risk factors, sexual transmission of this virus is very low and even lower in a population where over 90% of the people uses condoms.