Variations in Condom Use by Locale: A Comparison of Mobile Chinese Female Sex Workers in Hong Kong and Mainland China

Abstract

The present study investigated the prevalence of HIV and HIV-related behaviors and perceptions among 336 female sex workers (FSW) traveling from mainland China to work in Hong Kong. None of the participants tested HIV positive. Of the participants, 13.2% and 26.8%, respectively, would have unprotected sex with a client in Hong Kong or in mainland China if they liked the client; 16.7% and 21.7%, respectively, would have unprotected sex with a client in Hong Kong and in mainland China if he paid more. Of the participants, 98.5% used condoms in the last episode of sex work in Hong Kong and 78.1% were consistent condom users in Hong Kong in the last month. Yet, among those who previously worked as FSW in mainland China (n = 141), only 28.6% used condoms consistently in mainland China in the last year; 60% of those who used condoms inconsistently while in mainland China became consistent condom users in Hong Kong. Among those who did not use condoms in mainland China, willingness to have unprotected sex with a client who was liked by the FSW was a strong predictor for consistent condom use in Hong Kong (OR = 18.67, p < .001). Among those who were consistent condom users in Hong Kong, the same variable predicted inconsistent condom use while in mainland China (OR = 14.02, p < .05). Condom use behaviors change when FSW are working in different social contexts and behavioral changes are possible. Education programs should take socio-contextual factors into account.

Prevalence of psychological problems and relationships with condom use and HIV prevention behaviors among Chinese female sex workers in Hong Kong

“…Written consent was not obtained for anonymity reasons. The interviewer signed a form pledging that she has sought informed consent before the interviews commenced (Lau, Tsui, & Ho, 2007c). Respondents were assured of anonymity.…”

Sampling studies to estimate the HIV prevalence rate in female commercial sex workers

“…Nevertheless, only three of the studies discussed the possibility of the result being related to the sample size. 33,37,38 As for the quality assessment, most of the selected studies did not meet the quality criteria that would be adequate to estimate the HIV prevalence rate among the SW. In spite of the improvement in study quality in the two analyzed periods, only four studies 21,[30][31][32] met the established criteria, i.e., having an adequate sample size, using probabilistic sampling method and considering the sampling design at data analysis.…”

Contribución para un estado de la cuestión sobre el uso de condón en relaciones sexuales comerciales por parte de trabajadores(as) del sexo

“…En un estudio llevado a cabo en Australia se reportan los resultados de una investigación cualitativa realizada con trabajadoras sexuales acerca de los riesgos a los que se exponen en su trabajo y se determinó que el no uso de condón con sus parejas también era uno de los riesgos a los que se exponían estas mujeres (Pyett & Warr, 1999). Lau et al (2007) encontraron que en China no existían diferencias signifi cativas en la prevalencia de uso de preservativos con parejas sexuales regulares entre grupos de MTS UDIs y MTS no UDIs. De acuerdo con Zhao et al (2008), la principal razón por la que las trabajadoras sexuales no usan condón al tener relaciones con sus parejas estables es porque así manifi estan no tener enfermedades sexuales, aunque otras razones para no usarlo pueden ser: estar usando otro método anticonceptivo o ser demasiado tímida para pedirlo.…”

“…El criterio que se siguió fue el costo que cobran por sus servicios, lo cual se vinculó con el lugar donde suelen trabajar; las de clase baja trabajan en la calle; las de media en salones de belleza, clínicas de masaje, bares y saunas públicos; y las de alta en clubes nocturnos. Los resultados mostraron que las mujeres de nivel bajo y alto no usan preservativos debido al conocimiento de los clientes (Choi & Holroyd, 2007); mientras que en otra investigación con MTS del mismo país, se halló que entre las razones por las que aluden no usar condón con clientes se encuentra que les gusta el cliente (Lau, Tsui & Ho, 2007).…”