141st APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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278556
Unprotected sex with their clients among low-paying female sex workers in Southwest China


Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Chen Zhang, MPH, Institute of Global Health, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Xiaoming Li, PhD, Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Prevention Research Center, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
Liying Zhang, PhD, Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Prevention Research Center, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
Shan Qiao, PhD, Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Prevention Research Center, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
Peilian Chi, Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Prevention Research Center, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
Background: China has been experiencing a rapid increase in the HIV epidemic for decades. Commercial sex plays a critical role in heterosexual transmission of HIV. Limited studies suggested that low-paying female sex workers (FSWs) faced a higher risk of HIV infection. Low-paying FSWs are women who usually encounter their clients on the street or small establishments in rural or less-developed areas, or who charge low fees for each sexual service.

Methods: A total of 720 low-paying FSWs from 130 commercial sex venues/locations in southwest China were included in the data analysis. Multivariate regression models were employed to examine the associations of unprotected sex with a number of exploratory variables among the study sample.

Results: About 33.9% and 61.5% of low-paying FSWs reported unprotected sex with clients in the last sex act and in the last month, respectively. After controlling for confounders, women's HIV knowledge, risk perception, experience of police arrest, and venue types were significantly associated with unprotected sex among low-paying FSWs.

Discussion: Low-paying FSWs are at an alarmingly high risk of HIV infection. HIV prevention programs are urgently needed to address risk factors posit in both individual and contextual levels among this most-at-risk population in order to curb the HIV epidemic in China.

Learning Areas:

Epidemiology
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe characteristics and HIV risks among a group of low-paying FSW in southwest China; Identify factors associated with unprotected sex among low-paying FSW in China; Discuss tailored and culturally appropriate HIV prevention programs among this most-at-risk population in China.

Keyword(s): Sexual Risk Behavior, Sex Workers

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: i was involved in data collection, data management, and manuscript development.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4115.0: HIV and vulnerable populations