Liquid-based Cytology Profile of Street Sex Workers in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

Aim: To investigate street sex workers in Benin City Edo state Nigeria using liquid-based cytology method.

Study Design: Analytical cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Histopathology Sub-Department, University of Benin, Benin City and the Histopathology Laboratory, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH)., between December 2016 and May 2017.

Methodology: This study was conducted in the local government areas that make up the Benin metropolitan City in Edo State. A simple random sampling method was used to recruit the 113 participants, after which the questionnaire was used as the data gathering tool. The liquid-based cytology method was used for sampling following the cervix examination by a gynecological nurse. Data were analyzed using Frequency tables, and factor analysis using Minitab version 17.0 and the statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: From a total of 113 participants within the street sex workers ring in Benin City, acute cervicitis was predominant 7/113(6.2%) closely followed by the chronic 4/113(3.5%). The prevalence of SSWs living with cervicitis in Benin City 11/113(9.7%) revealed that Teenage SSWs were 5/113 (4.4%) and Migrant SSWs 11/113 (9.7%) and were affected by age and duration of sexual practices (p= 0.583; p= 0.204). The prevalence of HPV sera-positivity revealed that 3/113(2.7%) is infected and is largely distributed amongst the age group 21-30years. A hundred percent (100%) of the SSWs agreed to having heard about condoms and have been using it; while regular condom usage was revealed in the HPV sera-negative group amounting to 101/110 (92%) and 2/3(66.7%) amongst the HPV sera-positive group.

Conclusion: In conclusion, cervicitis is the only cervical lesion observed in the street sex workers with HPV infection predominantly affecting the age group (21-30years). Also, teenage prostitution is on the increase and HPV infection amongst the street sex workers in Benin City, Nigeria.