Changing trends of HIV, syphilis, HCV infections and behavioural factors among female sex workers in Chongqing, China: findings from six serial surveillance surveys.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the prevalence and changing trends of HIV, syphilis, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections and risk behaviours among female sex workers (FSWs) and to provide reference and theoretical basis for formulating targeted interventions.
DESIGN: Six consecutive cross-sectional surveys.
SETTING: Chongqing, China. PARTICIPANTS: FSWs were included if they (1) were aged ≥16 years, (2) provided commercial sex for money or goods during the previous month and (3) were willing to participate in the survey and could provide verbal informed consent. This study included 16 791 of 16 810 participants recruited between 2013 and 2018. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The prevalence of HIV/syphilis/HCV infection.
RESULTS: The HIV and HCV prevalence among FSWs in Chongqing was stable during the study period, but the prevalence of syphilis had an increasing trend, particularly among low-tier and middle-tier FSWs. Improvements in HIV-related knowledge, condom use, injecting drug use and participation in HIV-related services were observed. However, no change was found in the prevalence of drug use. HIV infection was correlated with no condom use in the last commercial sex (adjusted OR (aOR) 3.48, 95% CI 1.90 to 6.37) and syphilis infection (aOR 4.88, 95% CI 1.95 to 12.18). Syphilis infection was correlated with inconsistent condom use (aOR 1.30, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.65), HIV infection (aOR 5.88, 95% CI 2.40 to 14.41), HCV infection (aOR 7.68, 95% CI 4.37 to 13.49) and sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis in the past year (aOR 3.81, 95% CI 2.40 to 6.03). HCV infection was associated with injecting drug use (aOR 8.91, 95% CI 4.45 to 17.86) and syphilis infection (aOR 7.88, 95% CI 4.49 to 13.83).
CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive interventions targeting FSWs, particularly low-tier and middle-tier FSWs, should be increasingly implemented to prevent and control HIV, syphilis and other STIs. © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

The study involved 6 consecutive years of sentinel surveillance among female sex workers (FSWs) in Chongqing with a large sample size.

This study provides valuable information about the prevalence and trends of sexually transmitted infections among FSWs in Chongqing, and helps to formulate and improve relevant intervention strategies.

However, causality could not be determined due to the cross-sectional design.

Recall bias and social desirability bias may be present due to the use of self-reported measures of condom use, drug use and other behaviour.

Introduction

The HIV/AIDS pandemic, one of the major public health problems all over the world, is highly heterogeneous among different populations and regions. Compared with adult women, female sex workers (FSWs) bear a higher burden of HIV, with an estimated HIV prevalence of 10.4% (95% CI 9.5% to 11.5%).1 They are also considered one of the most vulnerable groups to the acquisition of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as syphilis.2

After the implementation of reform and opening up in the late 1970s, the sex industry has re-emerged in China due to economic growth, population migration and changes in sexual attitudes.3 4 A large number of rural migrants moved to cities for enhanced job opportunities. However, those rural women found that the labour force was saturated or the wages were not high enough; then, sex work with quick financial return became an option.5 The estimated number of FSWs was 4 million6; and approximately 6.9% of men aged 18–49 years have had commercial sex during their lifetime.7 The incidence of STIs, such as syphilis, has dramatically increased along with the prosperity of the sex trade.8 9 Heterosexual sex has replaced intravenous drug use and commercial blood/plasma collection as the primary transmission mode of HIV in China.10 Among the newly reported HIV infections in January–October 2019, heterosexual transmission accounted for 73.7%, much higher than other transmission routes.11 A review also reported that FSWs in China had a median HIV prevalence of 0.6% (0% to 10.3%) and a rate of positive for at least one STI of 41.5% (13% to 90.6%).12

As a developing country with a population of 1.4 billion, China faces more challenges in responding to the AIDS and STIs epidemic. The prevalence varies from province to province and Southwest provinces have a higher prevalence of STI.13 14 For example, although HIV prevalence among FSWs was lower than 0.05% in most provinces (such as Heilongjiang and Hebei) in 2012, it exceeded 1% in the same year in Yunnan and Guangxi.13 Furthermore, sex work is still illegal in China. Thus, it takes place in informal venues, including night clubs, hair salons, foot massage parlours and hotels, which is always combined with other works to cover up its illegality. This hinders the implementation of related interventions and reduces their effects. Different sex work settings are associated with the risk of HIV/STI infection. The average price of each sex transaction is often used by Chinese researchers to categorise FSWs into high, middle and low tiers. The size of different-tier FSWs may be related to the local economic level. In Jiangmen City, more than 60% of FSWs was high-tier FSW, while the proportion of low-tier FSWs was less than 10%.15 However, in Jianshui County, the proportion of low-tier FSWs was close to 30%.16 The proportion of low-tier FSWs may vary from region to region, but previous studies have shown that they have a higher risk of HIV infection than other FSWs.13 17

The Chinese government has provided voluntary HIV counselling and testing, STIs services, condom promotion and peer education among FSWs through the cooperation of Centers for Disease Control (CDC), community health services and medical institutions.18 The ‘Four Frees and One Care’ policy helps treat patients with AIDS who have financial difficulties by providing free antiviral drugs. In 1995, China established the national HIV sentinel surveillance system to actively monitor HIV prevalence among high-risk populations (eg, FSWs and injecting drug users) and guide the development of HIV prevention and control strategies.19–21 After years of development, the surveillance system has expanded its scope from 42 sentinel sites in 1995–1888 in 2010, and combined biological and behavioural surveillance strategies, which included serotesting for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis C virus (HCV).22 Surveillance data could help understand the epidemic status and trend of HIV and STIs among FSWs, which is necessary for developing HIV or STIs prevention programmes.23 According to China’s surveillance data, the overall prevalence of HIV/syphilis/HCV among FSWs showed a downward trend from 2010 to 2015.24 However, there may be diverse trends in different geographic regions of China, and there has been less work on understanding trends of STIs among FSWs in underdeveloped southwest areas.

Chongqing, located in Southwest China, is one of the four Chinese municipalities directly controlled by the central government. It is geographically close to Yunnan and Guangxi and it has large population contacts with Yunnan and Guangxi. It is the political and economic centre of Western China and a city with obvious urban–rural dual structure and the prosperous sex industry. A study using the network scale-up method estimated that FSWs accounted for 0.4% of women aged 15–49 years in Chongqing, and the clients of FSWs represented 2% of men aged 15–49 years.25 The HIV prevalence among FSWs in Chongqing in 2012 was estimated at 0.25%, lower than that among other high-risk groups, such as men who have sex with men (17.03%) and injecting drug users (7.35%).26 However, FSWs can transmit STIs to numerous clients and then to the general population, which pose a great challenge to public health. Heterosexual transmission has become the main route of HIV transmission in Chongqing since 2007.27 Of the 6352 newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS cases reported in Chongqing in 2015, 75.08% were infected through heterosexual transmission.27 Therefore, understanding the prevalence and trends of STIs among FSWs in Chongqing is highly important.

On the basis of the surveillance data in Chongqing, this study was aimed to identify the prevalence and changing trends of HIV, syphilis and HCV infections among FSWs over time. This study also explored the trends in sexual behaviours of FSWs and discussed the risk factors for prevalent STIs over a 6-year period in order to provide a reference for formulating interventions to control AIDS and STIs.

Methods

Study design

Sentinel surveillance was conducted to collect HIV, syphilis and HCV prevalence and high-risk behaviour information through cross-sectional surveys. The data analysed in this study were sentinel surveillance data among FSWs in Chongqing from 2013 to 2018.

Participant selection and data collection

The detailed procedures of data collection followed the Operational Manual for the Implementation Program of National AIDS Sentinel Surveillance established by the National Center for AIDS Prevention and Control.28 As shown in figure 1, serial cross-sectional surveys were conducted from April to June each year at seven sentinel surveillance sites in Chongqing (Yuzhong District, Jiulongpo District, Wanzhou District, Dianjiang, Hechuan, Qijiang (Wansheng) and Youyang). The sample size of each site was 400 participants. The entire sampling process went through the following three steps. First, a distribution map of known commercial workplaces in the monitoring area was drawn to construct a sampling frame and these locations were categorised into low-tier, middle-tier and high-tier venues on the basis of the average price of each sex transaction. Then, these venues in each city were randomly selected through proportional sampling. The proportions of low-tier and middle-tier FSWs among all participants were at least 10% and 40%, respectively. The FSWs were recruited if they met the inclusion criteria as follows: participants (1) were aged ≥16 years, (2) provided commercial sex for money or goods during the previous month and (3) were willing to participate in the survey and could provide verbal informed consent.

Figure 1

The location of seven sentinel surveillance sites in Chongqing.

All participants completed an anonymous, standard interviewer-administered and face-to-face questionnaire. After each interview, 3–5 mL of venous blood was collected from each participant for HIV, syphilis and HCV antibody detection. The blood sample was linked to the questionnaire by a unique identification code assigned to the participant.

Measures

Questionnaire

A questionnaire was used to collect the sociodemographic characteristics, HIV knowledge and behaviour of the FSWs.

Sociodemographic characteristics, including year of birth, marital status, household registration, ethnicity and education level were collected.

The HIV-related knowledge of participants was assessed using eight questions with ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘don’t know’ as answers. The questions have been updated since 2016 and took new-type drugs and intentional transmission of HIV/AIDS into consideration. Only correct responses were scored as 1 point, whereas incorrect responses and ‘don’t know’ responses did not earn any point. The Cronbach’s alpha values were 0.706 and 0.739 before and after the questions were changed, respectively.

The participants’ behavioural factors were also collected, including questions regarding condom use in last commercial sex, condom use with clients in the past month, drug use during their lifetime, STI diagnosis in the last year and participation in HIV-related services. In this study, consistent condom use (CCU) in the past month was defined as always using a condom during commercial intercourse.

Laboratory testing

In all surveys, the venous blood samples were tested for HIV, syphilis and HCV by trained laboratory technicians. Initial screening for HIV, syphilis and HCV antibodies was conducted using ELISA method (ELISA-1). When the result was negative, no further re-examination was carried out and infection status was recorded as negative. When the result was positive, HIV or HCV infection was confirmed by another ELISA method (ELISA-2) while syphilis infection was confirmed using a non-specific detection method called toluidine red unheated serum test. The results were determined as positive only when both tests were positive.

Quality assurance

All investigators were strictly trained before the survey to ensure that they familiarised the questionnaire structure and mastered the unified investigation standards and requirements. After the investigation, the investigators carefully reviewed the questionnaires and promptly corrected the missing items, wrong items and logical errors. Experts from the Chongqing Center for Disease Control and Prevention went to the investigation site for guidance and inspection to ensure quality. All laboratory tests were conducted at designated and certified laboratories in local CDC or hospitals.

Data analysis

The sociodemographic characteristics of participants were presented using descriptive statistics by survey year. In addition, the trends of HIV, syphilis, HCV infections and behavioural factors over time were assessed using Cochran-Armitage trend test. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to identify related risk-factors of HIV, syphilis and HCV infection by using stepwise elimination. The ORs and 95% CIs of each significant risk factor were also determined, unadjusted and adjusted for sociodemographic factors. All statistical analyses were carried out using Statistical Analysis Software, V.9.2 (SAS Institute).

Patient and public involvement

Patients and/or the public were not involved in the design, or conduct, or reporting, or dissemination plans of this research.

Results

Sociodemographic characteristics

This study included 16 791 of 16 810 participants recruited between 2013 and 2018. Table 1 depicted all the participants’ demographic characteristics stratified by year of survey. Nearly half of the participants (46.7%) worked in middle-tier venues, 39.7% worked in low-tier venues and 13.6% worked in high-tier venues. The median age was 28 years and most (87.2%) of them were between 20 and 45 years of age. The majority of the participants were in Chongqing households (91.0%) and belong to Han (90.0%). Less than one-third of them had high school or above education and half (54.7%) had a junior middle school education. Most participants have worked in the current location for 1–6 months (33.0%).

Table 1

Sociodemographic characteristics of female sex workers stratified by survey year (N, %)

Characteristics	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	Total
	N (%)	N (%)	N (%)	N (%)	N (%)	N (%)	N (%)
Overall	2793 (16.6)	2796 (16.7)	2793 (16.6)	2799 (16.7)	2805 (16.7)	2805 (16.7)	16 791 (100.0)
Age group (years)
<20	285 (10.2)	226 (8.1)	206 (7.4)	228 (8.1)	87 (3.1)	96 (3.4)	1128 (6.7)
20–45	2404 (86.1)	2451 (87.7)	2442 (87.4)	2412 (86.2)	2521 (89.9)	2415 (86.1)	14 645 (87.2)
>45	104 (3.7)	119 (4.3)	145 (5.2)	159 (5.7)	197 (7.0)	294 (10.5)	1018 (6.1)
Marital status
Never been married	1131 (40.5)	1143 (40.9)	1102 (39.5)	1106 (39.5)	734 (26.2)	837 (29.8)	6053 (36.0)
Married	1148 (41.1)	1104 (39.5)	1207 (43.2)	1152 (41.2)	1279 (45.6)	1278 (45.6)	7168 (42.7)
Living together as if married	275 (9.8)	308 (11.0)	260 (9.3)	307 (11.0)	305 (10.9)	296 (10.6)	1751 (10.4)
Divorced/widowed	239 (8.6)	241 (8.6)	224 (8.0)	234 (8.4)	487 (17.4)	394 (14.0)	1819 (10.8)
Household registration (hukou)
Chongqing	2518 (90.2)	2559 (91.5)	2533 (90.7)	2547 (91.0)	2580 (92.0)	2537 (90.4)	15 274 (91.0)
Other provinces	275 (9.8)	237 (8.5)	260 (9.3)	252 (9.0)	225 (8.0)	268 (9.6)	1517 (9.0)
Ethnicity
Minority	253 (9.1)	266 (9.5)	308 (11.0)	295 (10.5)	280 (10.0)	272 (9.7)	1674 (10.0)
Han	2539 (90.9)	2530 (90.5)	2485 (89.0)	2504 (89.5)	2525 (90.0)	2533 (90.3)	15 116 (90.0)
Education level
Primary school or below	512 (18.3)	524 (18.7)	581 (20.8)	506 (18.1)	595 (21.2)	507 (18.1)	3225 (19.2)
Junior middle school	1664 (59.6)	1570 (56.2)	1367 (48.9)	1509 (53.9)	1635 (58.3)	1446 (51.6)	9191 (54.7)
High school or above	617 (22.1)	702 (25.1)	845 (30.3)	784 (28.0)	575 (20.5)	852 (30.4)	4375 (26.1)
Typology
Low-tier	973 (34.8)	955 (34.2)	1043 (37.3)	1193 (42.6)	1347 (48.0)	1161 (41.4)	6672 (39.7)
Middle-tier	1347 (48.2)	1504 (53.8)	1448 (51.8)	1236 (44.2)	1192 (42.5)	1108 (39.5)	7835 (46.7)
High-tier	473 (16.9)	337 (12.1)	302 (10.8)	370 (13.2)	266 (9.5)	536 (19.1)	2284 (13.6)
Local working time
More than 1 year	651 (23.3)	566 (20.2)	751 (26.9)	673 (24.0)	888 (31.7)	946 (33.7)	4475 (26.7)
6–12 months	635 (22.7)	672 (24.0)	899 (32.2)	1018 (36.4)	918 (32.7)	833 (29.7)	4975 (29.6)
1–6 months	1097 (39.3)	1204 (43.1)	888 (31.8)	778 (27.8)	814 (29.0)	754 (26.9)	5535 (33.0)
Less than 1 month	409 (14.6)	354 (12.7)	255 (9.1)	330 (11.8)	185 (6.6)	272 (9.7)	1805 (10.8)
Location of previous job
Other provinces	334 (12.0)	257 (9.2)	354 (12.7)	305 (10.9)	353 (12.6)	293 (10.4)	1896 (11.3)
Other cities in Chongqing	330 (11.8)	569 (20.4)	549 (19.7)	572 (20.4)	356 (12.7)	352 (12.5)	2728 (16.2)
Current city	1699 (60.8)	1627 (58.2)	1629 (58.3)	1576 (56.3)	1894 (67.5)	1872 (66.7)	10 297 (61.3)
No previous work	430 (15.4)	343 (12.3)	261 (9.3)	346 (12.4)	202 (7.2)	288 (10.3)	1870 (11.1)
HIV knowledge
<6	388 (13.9)	458 (16.4)	231 (8.3)	449 (16.0)	348 (12.4)	305 (10.9)	2179 (13.0)
≥6	2405 (86.1)	2338 (83.6)	2562 (91.7)	2350 (84.0)	2457 (87.6)	2500 (89.1)	14 612 (87.0)

Trends of HIV, syphilis and HCV prevalence

During the study period, the overall prevalence of HIV, syphilis and HCV infection among the study population was 0.27% (95% CI 0.19% to 0.35%), 1.73% (95% CI 1.54% to 1.93%) and 0.72% (95% CI 0.59% to 0.85%), respectively. Low-tier FSWs had higher prevalence of HIV, syphilis and HCV, with 6-year average prevalence rates of 0.40%, 2.53% and 1.08%, respectively (p=0.019, p<0.001, p<0.001). The HIV prevalence among FSWs in Chongqing, which ranged from 0.14% to 0.43% during the study years, had no significant changes over time (p=0.129, figure 2). No significant time trend was found among low-tier/middle-tier/high-tier FSWs (p=0.498, 0.366 and 0.423, respectively). The HCV prevalence among FSWs in Chongqing ranged from 0.32% to 1.14% between 2013 and 2018, with no significant trend. In each subgroup, no significant changing trend of HCV infection by year was found (figure 3). Unlike HIV and HCV, a total of 1.11%, 1.18%, 1.58%, 1.86%, 2.67% and 2.00% of the respondents were confirmed to be infected with syphilis from 2013 to 2018, showing an upward trend (p<0.001). This trend was also found in low-tier FSWs (from 1.13% in 2013 to 2.50% in 2018, p<0.001) and middle-tier FSWs (from 1.19% in 2013 to 1.81% in 2018, p=0.026), but not in high-tier FSWs (p=0.713).

Figure 2

Prevalence of HIV, syphilis and HCV among FSWs in Chongqing by survey year. Bars show prevalence (per cent); error bars show 95% CIs. FSWs, female sex workers; HCV, hepatitis C virus.

Figure 3

Prevalence of HIV, syphilis and HCV among low-tier FSWs (A), middle-tier FSWs (B) and high-tier FSWs (C) in Chongqing by survey year. (A) Low-tier FSWs; (B) middle-tier FSWs; (C) high-tier FSWs. FSWs, female sex workers; HCV, hepatitis C virus.

Changing trends of behavioural factors

Of the whole survey population, more than 80% exhibited HIV-related knowledge and used condom in their last commercial sex (table 2). Nearly 90% received at least one of the following three HIV-related services in the last year: (1) condom promotion and distribution and AIDS counselling and testing, (2) community drug maintenance therapy and clean needle supply/exchange and (3) peer education. In addition, about half of the participants used condom consistently with clients in the last month. Approximately 3% reported drug use, and 2% reported STI diagnosis in the past year.

Table 2

Behavioural characteristics of FSWs from 2013 to 2018 in Chongqing

Variables		2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	Overall	P value	P for trend
		% (n)	% (n)	% (n)	% (n)	% (n)	% (n)	% (n)
HIV knowledge (≥6)	Yes	86.1 (2405)	83.6 (2338)	91.7 (2562)	84.0 (2350)	87.6 (2457)	89.1 (2500)	87.0 (14 612)	<0.001	<0.001
	No	13.9 (388)	16.4 (458)	8.3 (231)	16.0 (449)	12.4 (348)	10.9 (305)	13.0 (2179)
Condom use in the last commercial sex	Yes	79.7 (2167)	77.4 (2134)	93.8 (2604)	83.4 (2335)	87.0 (2439)	84.5 (2371)	84.3 (14 050)	<0.001	<0.001
	No	20.3 (552)	22.6 (625)	6.2 (171)	16.6 (464)	13.0 (366)	15.5 (434)	15.7 (2612)
CCU in the past month	Yes	41.7 (1130)	51.2 (1406)	69.7 (1925)	60.1 (1682)	47.7 (1337)	51.4 (1441)	53.7 (8921)	<0.001	<0.001
	No	58.3 (1578)	48.8 (1341)	30.3 (835)	39.9 (1117)	52.3 (1468)	48.6 (1364)	46.3 (7703)
Drug use	Yes	2.9 (81)	4.2 (116)	2.7 (74)	4.6 (129)	2.2 (63)	3.1 (88)	3.3 (551)	<0.001	0.322
	No	97.1 (2705)	95.8 (2631)	97.3 (2718)	95.4 (2670)	97.8 (2742)	96.9 (2717)	96.7 (16 183)
Injecting drug use	Yes	1.3 (35)	1.2 (32)	0.6 (18)	1.5 (43)	0.7 (19)	0.4 (11)	0.9 (158)	<0.001	0.002
	No	98.8 (2754)	98.9 (2760)	99.4 (2774)	98.5 (2756)	99.3 (2786)	99.6 (2794)	99.1 (16 624)
STI diagnosis in the past year	Yes	3.8 (106)	3.6 (100)	1.5 (43)	1.8 (50)	1.1 (31)	1.3 (37)	2.2 (367)	<0.001	<0.001
	No	96.2 (2671)	96.4 (2679)	98.5 (2747)	98.2 (2749)	98.9 (2774)	98.7 (2768)	97.8 (16 388)
HIV-related services	Yes	80.0 (2235)	86.0 (2405)	94.4 (2637)	93.4 (2615)	92.7 (2600)	88.1 (2470)	89.1 (14 962)	<0.001	<0.001
	No	20.0 (558)	14.0 (391)	5.6 (156)	6.6 (184)	7.3 (205)	11.9 (335)	10.9 (1829)

CCU, consistent condom use; FSWs, female sex workers; STIs, sexually transmitted infections.

The changing trends of FSWs’ behaviours were also examined, and results showed no significant change over time in drug use reported by FSWs. However, significant improvements over time were found in HIV-related knowledge, condom use, participation in HIV-related services and self-reported STI diagnosis in the last year among the FSWs.

Correlates of HIV, syphilis and HCV infections

Multivariable logistic regression analysis results (table 3) showed that, (1) HIV infection was significantly and positively associated with no condom use in the last commercial sex (adjusted OR (aOR) 3.48, 95% CI 1.90 to 6.37) and syphilis infection (aOR 4.88, 95% CI 1.95 to 12.18); (2) syphilis infection was significantly and positively associated with inconsistent condom use in the past month (aOR 1.30, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.65), STI diagnosis in the past year (aOR 3.81, 95% CI 2.40 to 6.03), HIV infection (aOR 5.88, 95% CI 2.40 to 14.41) and HCV infection (aOR 7.68, 95% CI 4.37 to 13.49) and (3) HCV infection was significantly and positively associated with injecting drug use (aOR 8.91, 95% CI 4.45 to 17.86) and syphilis infection (aOR 7.88, 95% CI 4.49 to 13.83).

Table 3

Associations between behavioural characteristics and HIV, syphilis and HCV infection

Behavioural characteristics	HIV positive			Syphilis positive			HCV positive
	OR (95% CI)		aOR (95% CI)	OR (95% CI)		aOR (95% CI)	OR (95% CI)		aOR (95% CI)
	Univariate	Multivariate		Univariate	Multivariate		Univariate	Multivariate
No condom use in the last commercial sex (yes vs no)	3.95(2.19 to 7.15)*	3.97(2.19 to 7.19)*	3.48(1.90 to 6.37)*	1.06(0.78 to 1.45)			0.54(0.29 to 1.00)
Inconsistent condom use in the past month (yes vs no)	2.86(1.50 to 5.45)*			1.33(1.05 to1.67)*	1.30(1.03 to 1.64)*	1.30(1.02 to 1.65)*	0.64(0.44 to 0.93)*	0.63(0.43 to 0.92)*	0.72(0.49 to 1.05)
Drug use (yes vs no)	0.32(0.02 to 5.24)			1.27(0.71 to 2.28)			3.28(1.80 to 6.00)*
Injecting drug use(yes vs no)	1.15(0.07 to 18.91)			1.87(0.76 to 4.59)			10.05(5.16 to 19.59)*	9.21(4.67 to 18.18)*	8.91(4.45 to 17.86)*
STI diagnosis in the past year	0.49(0.03 to 7.98)			4.02(2.59 to 6.24)*	3.75(2.40 to 5.87)*	3.81(2.40 to 6.03)*	2.78(1.29 to 6.00)*
HIV-related services(yes vs no)	1.71(0.53 to 5.53)			1.37(0.90 to 2.08)			1.36(0.71 to 2.60)
HIV positive(yes vs no)				8.89(3.74 to 21.17)*	9.17(3.84 to 21.91)*	5.88(2.40 to 14.41)*	1.51(0.09 to 25.29)
Syphilis positive(yes vs no)	8.89(3.73 to 21.16)*	8.68(3.63 to 20.74)*	4.88(1.95 to 12.18)*				9.09(5.30 to 15.58)*	9.0(5.26 to 15.71)*	7.88(4.49 to 13.83)*
HCV positive(yes vs no)	1.50(0.09 to 24.83)			9.09(5.30 to 15.59)*	8.81(5.09 to 15.25)*	7.68(4.37 to 13.49)*

aOR adjusted for sociodemographic characteristic (age, education level, marital status, typology and survey year).

*P<0.05.

aOR, adjusted OR; HCV, hepatitis C virus; STIs, sexually transmitted infections.

Discussion

FSWs are considered to be at high risk of HIV infection and other STIs and contribute disproportionately to the transmission. Surveillance of STIs and risk behaviour among FSWs is highly important for the understanding of the potential of spreading HIV to the general population and the assessment and improvement of interventions targeted at FSWs.23 Although analysing and knowing the prevalence and changing trends of HIV, syphilis, HCV and relevant behaviours among FSWs are critical, only few studies have been reported in Chongqing, China. Thus, in the present study, the prevalence and changing trends of HIV, syphilis, HCV and behaviour of Chongqing FSWs were examined using sentinel surveillance data from 2013 to 2018.

The results showed that the HIV prevalence among FSWs in Chongqing was relatively stable, with an annual average of 0.27% from 2013 to 2018, similar to 0.22% among Chinese FSWs in 20149 but much higher than China’s current estimated national HIV prevalence among the general population (0.0598%).29 The prevalence of HIV among FSWs in Chongqing is higher than that in most provinces such as Beijing,30 Liaoning31 and Hainan,32 but lower than that in Sichuan,33 Yunnan34 and Guangxi.35 HCV prevalence fluctuated between 2013 and 2018, with a 6-year average of 0.72%, but no significant trend was found. This result was in concordance with that of a previous study conducted in Guangxi.35 However, a previous study using national data reported that from 2008 to 2012, the overall HIV and HCV prevalence among FSWs in mainland China showed a decreasing trend13; the differences may be due to the differences in scope of study area and study period.

The results also indicated a worrying upward trend of syphilis infection (from 1.11% in 2013 to 2.00% in 2018), particularly among low-tier and middle-tier FSWs. As the third most prevalent notifiable infectious disease in categories A and B in China, syphilis has been on the rise since the 1990s.36 The reported total syphilis rate in China increased from 0.2/100 000 in 1993 to 32.86/100 000 in 2013.36 The reported incidence of syphilis in Chongqing also showed an upward trend, with a reported incidence of 40.38/100 000 in 2014.37 However, researchers found that the increase in reported cases of syphilis in Chongqing in recent years may be related to large-scale syphilis screening by medical institutions, training on national standards for syphilis diagnosis and reporting, and laboratory improvement.38 The increase in syphilis prevalence among FSWs may also be related to the strengthening of syphilis detection, but it still needs attention. In agreement with previous studies, the FSWs infected with syphilis have a higher risk of HIV or HCV infection, and HIV or HCV infection is a risk factor of syphilis infection.35 FSWs with syphilis were nearly five times more likely to be infected with HIV, and seven times more likely to be infected with HCV than FSWs without syphilis. This phenomenon may be due to their shared transmission routes, co-risk factors and adverse interaction.39 Thus, efforts should be increased to strengthen the comprehensive and combined intervention of AIDS, syphilis and other STIs for key groups.

During the study period, the proportion of FSWs who used condoms increased slightly, and condom use was associated with decreased HIV or syphilis infection risk. CCU is one of the most effective ways to prevent HIV infection, and its protection rate can reach 80% based on studies of persons during heterosexual sex with an HIV-positive partner.40 The 100% Condom Use Programme has been implemented in Chongqing since 2006 and has shown a promotional effect. The number of FSWs who practiced CCU increased. However, in 2018, only half of FSWs reported CCU in the last month. This proportion was lower than that in Liaoning and Hainan.31 32 Previous studies indicated that clients’ low support and negative norms towards condom use may be the main reason for the inconsistent condom use of FSWs.41–43 FSWs often compromise with their clients on condom use to earn money or establish a closer long-term relationship with clients. Thus, in addition to raising FSWs’ awareness regarding HIV/STI prevention and improving their skills to negotiate condom use, promoting HIV intervention programmes targeting clients of FSWs and others is also essential.

No significant increasing or decreasing trend in drug use was observed among FSWs. The average prevalence of drug use was 3.3%, while the national prevalence among FSWs was reported at 1.2%.13 The prevalence of injecting drug use seemed to be declining during the study period. Injecting drug use may exacerbate unsafe sexual behaviour and structural risks, leading to increased risk of HIV and other STIs.44 45 In 2017, the detection rates of HIV, syphilis and HCV among drug users in Chongqing were 5.4%, 5.9% and 44.9%, respectively, much higher than those among the general population.46 FSWs who inject drugs are exposed to sexual and blood transmission routes and at a higher risk of contracting HIV and syphilis than other FSWs and injecting drug users.35 47 Similar to previous studies, the present study showed a strong association between injecting drug use and HCV infection,48 and sharing of needles may be the main and underlying route of HCV transmission. Drugs and prostitution involve relevant laws and ethics. Thus, HIV prevention programmes and outreach for FSWs may require enhanced thinking and increased attention to the individual’s external risk environment and risk factors.

In addition, as previous studies have shown, lower-tier FSWs bear a heavier burden of HIV, syphilis and HCV than higher-tier FSWs,13 which may be attributed to the socio-demographic characteristics of lower-tier FSWs and their clients. It’s found that low-tier FSWs generally have older age and lower education, which are often associated with a higher prevalence of HIV and syphilis.49 Low-tier FSWs with low education probably had insufficient knowledge about those diseases, less awareness about sex health and poor communication skills for condom use.50 And they may be serving more clients who also had low education, had low awareness and were unwilling to use a condom, particularly elderly man.17 35 Thus, future intervention programmes should be specified and targeted based on the needs of FSWs under different tiers, and pay more attention to low-tier FSWs and their clients. In addition, sex work is illegal and highly stigmatised in China; thus, FSWs face several barriers, such as fear of being arrested, fear of discrimination and awkwardness, to participant in AIDS-related services.51 AIDS intervention services must further cooperate with non-governmental organisations, increase condom promotion and jointly increase awareness of other STIs such as syphilis.

This study had several limitations. First, the data we used were based on serial cross-sectional surveillance surveys; therefore, trends of HIV, syphilis and HCV infection without exact reasons behind the changes were possibly found. Second, the survey was anonymous. Respondents who participated in a cross-sectional survey in a certain year may also participate in subsequent cross-sectional surveys. However, estimating the proportion of FSWs who repeatedly participated in this study was not possible. Third, the data were collected mainly through self-reported questionnaires, which raise concerns about recall bias, reporting bias and social desirability bias. For example, respondents may conceal the truth when answering sensitive questions, such as drug use, which is illegal in China.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the HIV and HCV prevalence among FSWs in Chongqing remained stable during the study period, but syphilis had an upward trend among FSWs in low-tier and middle-tier venues. Although factors such as knowledge, condom use, injecting drug use and STI diagnosis were improved, nearly half of FSWs used condom inconsistently. Thus, more effective interventions for promoting CCU among FSWs and their clients are needed to reduce the spread of HIV/STIs, and more attention must be paid to low-tier and middle-tier FSWs.