Prevalence of HIV and STIs and Associated Risk Factors Among Female Sex Workers in Guangdong Province, China

Abstract

Objectives To assess the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and associated factors among female sex workers (FSWs) in Guangdong, China. Methods Respondent driven sampling was used to recruit 320 FSWs. The recruited participants were interviewed face-to-face using a structured questionnaire and tested for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and Chlamydia. Results The prevalence of syphilis, gonorrhea, and Chlamydia were 8.0% (4.6-12.2%), 9.5% (5.6-14.3%) and 3.9% (1.7-6.2%), respectively, and of any STIs was 19.7% (13.9- 26.2%). None of the participants was HIV-positive. The median number of clients during the previous week was 5. The proportion of consistent condom use with the clients during the previous week was 58.0% (50.4, 65.5%), use with regular non-paying partners and non-regular non-paying partners were much lower than that with clients. Multivariate analysis indicated that years of education and perception of HIV risk were protective factors. Awareness of HIV/AIDS, regular sex partners deciding about condom use when having sex, recruiting clients at hotels, hair/beauty salons, or streets instead of massage parlors, and higher charge for last sexual service were associated with STI infection. Conclusion Future intervention programs should not only address personal risk factors, but also empower FSWs to require condom use by both clients and non-paying partners.

Review of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in China

“…A majority of studies were conducted in South China (Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hunan), Southwest China (Guizhou, Sichuan, Yunnan), or large urban cities (e.g., Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Zhengzhou, and others). Between 13% and 90.6% (median 041.5%) of FSW were diagnosed or tested positive for at least one STI (Chen et al, 2005;Chen et al, 2008;Gil et al, 1996;Lau, Tsui, Siah, & Zhang, 2002;Li et al, 2006;Li et al, 2010;Ruan et al, 2006;B. Wang et al, 2005B.…”

“…The estimated two to four million female sex workers (FSW) comprise a highly heterogeneous population that includes those from both lower end (i.e., streets, beauty salons, roadside motels, and temporary sublets) and higher end venues (i.e., karaoke clubs, massage parlors, night clubs, and hotels) (Ding et al, 2005;Huang, Henderson, Pan, & Cohen, 2004;Li et al, 2010;Ruan et al, 2006;Wang et al, 2009a).…”

Syphilis test availability and uptake at medical facilities in southern China

“…In 2009 it reported 39 112 syphilis cases and prevalence reached 41 cases per 100 000 total population, or nearly twice the rate in all of China (25 per 100 000). 6 Syphilis is now the second most commonly reported communicable disease in Guangdong province, 6 where a high prevalence has been observed among female sex workers 7 and men who have sex with men. 8,9 Mother-to-child syphilis transmission is an important public concern in epidemic areas because syphilis can cause spontaneous abortion, stillbirth and irreversible congenital defects.…”

Prevalence and correlates of HIV infection and sexually transmitted infections in female sex workers (FSWs) in Shanghai, China

“…Chlamydia prevalence in FSWs varied from 3% to 46% [9-12, 15, 16] and was highest in some studies in Yunnan Province [8,9]. Finally, syphilis prevalence was higher than in Shanghai in almost all other studies examined, from 3% to 16% [8][9][10][11][12][13][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. Interestingly, a repeated cross-sectional study from neighbouring Zhejiang found a marked decrease in syphilis prevalence over the four years examined: 2006, 13·5%; 2007, 0·8%; 2008, 0·0%; 2009, 0·5% [24], and found no HIV infections and a syphilis prevalence of 4·5%.…”