Open AccessHIV Testing Behaviors Among Female Sex Workers in Southwest China
Author(s) -
Yan Hong,
Chen Zhang,
Xiaoming Li,
Xiaoyi Fang,
Xiuyun Lin,
Yuejiao Zhou,
Wei Liu
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
aids and behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.994
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1573-3254
pISSN - 1090-7165
DOI - 10.1007/s10461-011-9960-8
Subject(s) - health psychology , condom , medicine , public health , psychological intervention , china , population , sex work , environmental health , developing country , demography , gerontology , men who have sex with men , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , family medicine , syphilis , psychiatry , nursing , geography , economic growth , archaeology , sociology , economics
Despite the recognized importance of HIV testing in prevention, care and treatment, HIV testing remains low in China. Millions of female sex workers (FSW) play a critical role in China's escalating HIV epidemic. Limited data are available regarding HIV testing behavior among this at-risk population. This study, based on a cross-sectional survey of 1,022 FSW recruited from communities in Southwest China, attempted to address the literature gap. Our data revealed that 48% of FSW ever took HIV testing; older age, less education, working in higher-income commercial sex venues and better HIV knowledge were associated with HIV testing. Those who never took HIV testing were more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors including inconsistent condom use with clients and stable partners. A number of psychological and structural barriers to testing were also reported. We call for culturally appropriate interventions to reduce HIV risks and promote HIV testing for vulnerable FSW in China.