OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of HIV and sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention interventions among female sex workers (FSWs) in the city of Hohhot in northern China. METHODS: Three serial cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 2006, 2007, and 2008 among FSWs. A questionnaire was administered to the FSWs, and HIV and syphilis tests were performed for all participants. Intervention activities including condom promotion and provision, increased condom availability and accessibility, and voluntary HIV counseling and testing (VCT) were carried out among FSWs. RESULTS: There were 624 participants in the 2006 survey, 444 in the 2007 survey, and 451 in the 2008 survey. The United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) indicators for FSWs increased from 13.9% in 2006 to 37.7% in 2008 (p<0.001). The average rate of consistent condom use with commercial clients in the month preceding the interview increased significantly from 39.8% in 2006 to 59.6% in 2008 (p<0.001). Not a single HIV-positive case was found among the FSWs over these 3 years, and the prevalence of syphilis decreased remarkably from 9.5% in 2006 to 1.3% in 2008. Logistic regression analysis showed that sauna or hair salon work venues, receiving services from intervention programs, and accepting HIV tests were factors associated with consistent condom use. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that consistent condom use and awareness of HIV/AIDS prevention-related knowledge among FSWs have been improved by the intervention. Further prioritized and combined prevention programs aimed at FSWs are needed in order to prevent the HIV/AIDS epidemic spreading in the general population in China.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of HIV and sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention interventions among female sex workers (FSWs) in the city of Hohhot in northern China. METHODS: Three serial cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 2006, 2007, and 2008 among FSWs. A questionnaire was administered to the FSWs, and HIV and syphilis tests were performed for all participants. Intervention activities including condom promotion and provision, increased condom availability and accessibility, and voluntary HIV counseling and testing (VCT) were carried out among FSWs. RESULTS: There were 624 participants in the 2006 survey, 444 in the 2007 survey, and 451 in the 2008 survey. The United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) indicators for FSWs increased from 13.9% in 2006 to 37.7% in 2008 (p<0.001). The average rate of consistent condom use with commercial clients in the month preceding the interview increased significantly from 39.8% in 2006 to 59.6% in 2008 (p<0.001). Not a single HIV-positive case was found among the FSWs over these 3 years, and the prevalence of syphilis decreased remarkably from 9.5% in 2006 to 1.3% in 2008. Logistic regression analysis showed that sauna or hair salon work venues, receiving services from intervention programs, and accepting HIV tests were factors associated with consistent condom use. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that consistent condom use and awareness of HIV/AIDS prevention-related knowledge among FSWs have been improved by the intervention. Further prioritized and combined prevention programs aimed at FSWs are needed in order to prevent the HIV/AIDS epidemic spreading in the general population in China.
Authors: Kate Shannon; Steffanie A Strathdee; Shira M Goldenberg; Putu Duff; Peninah Mwangi; Maia Rusakova; Sushena Reza-Paul; Joseph Lau; Kathleen Deering; Michael R Pickles; Marie-Claude Boily Journal: Lancet Date: 2014-07-22 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: Putu Duff; Jean Shoveller; Sabina Dobrer; Gina Ogilvie; Julio Montaner; Jill Chettiar; Kate Shannon Journal: J Epidemiol Community Health Date: 2015-02-12 Impact factor: 3.710
Authors: Shira M Goldenberg; Teresita Rocha Jiménez; Kimberly C Brouwer; Sonia Morales Miranda; Jay G Silverman Journal: BMC Int Health Hum Rights Date: 2018-02-02