[Female prostitution and HIV/AIDS--review of the literature on epidemiology and personal observations in a contact center for drug dependent patients].

Epidemiological studies show that intravenous drug use represents the main risk for HIV/AIDS infection among female prostitutes in Germany. According to current information, HIV/AIDS infections are not more prevalent among prostitutes who are not intravenous drug users than in the general population. To establish effective preventive measures against HIV/AIDS infection, we must differentiate between two specific target groups: 1) female intravenous drug users who engage in prostitution to finance their drug addiction, and 2) female prostitutes who are not intravenous drug users. Instead of mandatory health checks by government agencies, registered female prostitutes who rarely use intravenous drugs should be offered health counseling and care. Easily accessible offers in contact centers for intravenous drug users will help HIV/AIDS prophylactic programs to reach women who engage in illegal prostitution to finance their drug addiction. Secondary HIV/AIDS preventive measures at these centers include exchange of syringes and needles, distribution of condoms, initial contact with a drug counselor, treatment of acute medical problems, physician counseling services, and facilities for HIV testing. In addition to this, substitutive therapeutic regimens as alternatives to withdrawal therapy of drug addiction would contribute effectively to HIV/AIDS prevention, particularly for intravenous drug using female prostitutes who are HIV-infected and have discontinued withdrawal therapy.