Female prostitutes and sexually transmitted diseases.

The epidemiology of HIV infection emphasizes the need to be able to identify and communicate with female prostitutes as a group. Health education, screening and the prevention of STD in female prostitutes remains an essential priority for the well-being of the prostitutes, their clients and the health of society. However, these goals will not be achieved by compulsory screening, as this will miss the highest risk group. Instead, increased official recognition and measures to encourage female prostitutes to participate in and communicate with the health care system may result in an improvement in our management of these women.