Commercial sex venues, syphilis and methamphetamine use among female sex workers

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the factors associated with methamphetamine (MA) use, syphilis, and unprotected sex among female sex workers from different type of venues in Qingdao City, Shandong Province of China. Three consecutive cross-sectional surveys provided information on demographics, sexual and drug use behaviors, and HIV-related services. Of 1187 participants, 3.0% were infected with syphilis; 30.2% ever used MA; 58.3% ever had unprotected commercial sex in the past month. The prevalence rates of syphilis and MA use were 2.5% and 33.0% for participants recruited from saunas, night clubs, bars or hotels; 2.7% and 28.3% for hair/beauty salon-based participants; and 4.5% and 15.8% for street-based participants. Street-based MA users were more likely to be single, non-Shandong residents, have first lifetime sex act at younger age, and recruited in 2008 (vs. 2006). Saunas, night clubs, bars, or hotels-based MA users were more likely to be younger, sex debut at younger age, have longer duration of sex work, have unprotected commercial sex, and be syphilis-infected. Hair/beauty salon-based MA users were more likely to be non-Shandong residents, younger, and to have unprotected commercial sex. Syphilis among the sauna-, night club-, bar-, or hotel-based participants was associated with MA use and ever receipt of HIV testing. Syphilis among the hair/beauty salon-based participants was associated with longer duration of sex work. MA users who frequent commercial sex venues are engaging in high-risk behaviors and are at risk for syphilis/other sexually transmitted diseases. Better-targeted intervention efforts to curtail the epidemics of MA use and HIV/syphilis should therefore take cognizance of the role of commercial sex venues as focal points of MA use and syphilis/sexually transmitted disease transmission.

Drug Use and Sexual Behaviors Among MSM in China

“…Research in China has also shown that the use of stimulants (amphetamines, methamphetamine) is increasing to epidemic levels (Commission). Recent studies have also linked stimulant use to Chinese female sex workers, HIV/STIs, and sex risks in China (Bao et al, 2012;Commission;Hong & Li, 2008;Kang et al, 2011;Liao et al, 2011;Liao et al, 2013). It is not clear if the current findings represent a trend of increasing stimulant use specific to Chinese MSM, if stimulant use in China is related to selling sex, or reflect the increases seen throughout China.…”

Bisexual Behavior and Infection with HIV and Syphilis Among Men Who Have Sex with Men Along the East Coast of China

“…Our recent study revealed an alarmingly high prevalence of methamphetamine use among female sex workers in same cities of Shandong. 29,51,52 The relationship between drug use and bisexual activities as well as syphilis displayed in the present study underscored that Shandong's gay men might also face potential risks of emerging drug use, which might play a potentially significant role of bisexual behaviors in epidemiologic bridging.…”

“Nothing Is Free”: A Qualitative Study of Sex Trading Among Methamphetamine Users in Cape Town, South Africa

“…Globally, high rates of sex trading behaviors have been observed among methamphetamine users (Couture et al, 2012; Kang et al, 2011; Rawstorne, Digiusto, Worth, & Zablotska, 2007; Semple, Strathdee, Zians, & Patterson, 2011; Shannon et al, 2011; Urada et al, 2014). In South Africa, 20 to 55% of methamphetamine users report that they have participated in sex trading (Meade et al, 2012; Pitpitan et al, 2014), and rates from other settings range from 26 to 43% (Semple, Strathdee, Zians, & Patterson, 2010; Semple et al, 2011).…”