Sexually transmitted disease/HIV risk behaviour among women who have sex with women

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the epidemiological aspects of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) among women who have sex with women (WSW) in São Paulo, Brazil. METHOD: A cross-sectional study with interviews and analysis of clinical and gynaecological tests in women, by means of a convenience sample. Characteristics were gathered according to age, sociobehavioural profile, reproductive life and sexuality. RESULTS: The study included 145 women. They started sexual activity at an average age of 16.9 years, and 23.4% of them had had heterosexual relations during the preceding year, with a relatively low frequency of condom use. In sexual relations with women, 54.5% used condoms when they shared sex toys. A previous STD was reported by 38% of them. The following STD were diagnosed: trichomonas (3.8%), bacterial vaginosis (33.8%), fungi (25.6%), Chlamydia (1.8%), hepatitis B (7%), hepatitis C (2.1%), abnormal Pap smear (7.7%), human papillomavirus (6.2%) and HIV (2.9%). CONCLUSION: In this study, many WSW did not report a single risk behaviour, but often reported a combination of several potential risk factors. Therefore, one cannot speak of high or low-risk behaviour for STD/HIV, but rather of multiple-risk behaviour. It is evident that there is a need for healthcare professionals to be correctly informed and sensitive towards the healthcare of WSW.