scholarly journals HIV Risk in Female Sex Workers in the Chinese Border Region

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Yuan Wang ◽  
Amanda Wilson ◽  
Rusen Chen ◽  
Ping Cen ◽  
Yuehui Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Female sex workers (FSWs) in Yunnan are a highly vulnerable population to HIV virus. The HIV positive FSWs can then pass onward the HIV transmission via commercial sex. Yunnan is located near the “Golden Triangle” border region, which has the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in China. Method: In order to understanding of the HIV burden and risk in FSWs in the border region of China, semi-structured interviews were conducted between May 2018 and June 2018 with 20 FSWs recruited in Hekou County, Yunnan province, China. Results: Thematic analysis was applied for the data analysis. There were four themes that were actively interpreted from the data, including: Desire for Condom Use, Poor Gynaecological Service Access, Low HIV/AIDS Literacy, and Working Without the Influence. Conclusion: There is an urgent demand for HIV prevention among FSWs and their clients in the Chinese border regions. It is essential for governmental infrastructures to implement practical strategies in terms of HIV prevention for FSWs in China. Keywords human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), female sex workers (FSWs), “Golden Triangle”, China A Brief Summary of Findings Female sex workers (FSWs) in Yunnan are a highly vulnerable population to HIV virus. There is an urgent demand for HIV prevention among FSWs in the Chinese border regions.

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather A. Pines ◽  
Shirley J. Semple ◽  
Steffanie A. Strathdee ◽  
Craig W. Hendrix ◽  
Alicia Harvey-Vera ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abay Woday Tadesse ◽  
Wossen Chernet ◽  
Osman Ahmed ◽  
Woldemichael Tadesse

BACKGROUND: Female Sex Workers (FSWs) are a high-risk population for Human Immune Virus (HIV) infection. However, HIV related services for sex workers are given little attention in developing nations like Ethiopia. Thus, this study attempted to assess HIV preventive practice and associated factors among FSWs in the Afar region.METHODS: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 419 FSWs from April 1st to May 2nd in 2018 in four hotspot towns (i.e. Logia, Mille, Gedamayitu and Awash) found in Afar region. The study participants were selected using snowball sampling technique. The sociodemographic and behavioral data were collected using face-toface interview. Logistic regression analyses were done to determine factors associated with HIV prevention practices. The statistically significant level was declared at a P-value < 0.05.RESULTS: The HIV/AIDS preventive practice among FSWs was 61.1% [95% CI 56.2% - 65.9%]. The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that being single [AOR=2.57: 95% CI 1.06, 6.21:P<0.05] and urban residence before being FSWs [AOR= 3.26: 95% CI 1.25, 8.54: P<0.05] were found to be enhancing factors of the preventive practice of HIV/AIDS. However, being illiterate [AOR=0.133: 95% CI 0.032, 0.557: P<0.01], young age [AOR=0.065: 95% CI 0.021, 0.196:P<0.001], being alcohol drinker [AOR= 0.104: 95% CI 0.026, 0.417: P<0.01], being cigarette smoker [AOR= 0.096: 95% CI 0.022, 0.414:P<0.01] and lack of aware of HIV transmission [AOR= 0.08: 95% CI0.03, 0.22: P<0.001] were the hindering factors of the preventive practice of HIV among FSWs.CONCLUSION: The HIV/AIDS preventive practice among FSWs in Afar region hotspot towns (61.1%) is still very low compared to the country progress report on HIV response for FSWs (98%). The regional health bureau should design inclusive strategies to improve the HIV preventive practice among FSWs. These includes regular HIV testing campaigns, sustainable condom distribution in the hotspot towns. The region should encourage NGOs to work on inclusive HIV prevention upon FSWs. Female sex workers should be aware of the risky behaviors that lead to HIV. Additional qualitative methods are also recommended.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Wilson ◽  
Yuan Yuan Wang ◽  
Runsen Chen ◽  
Ping Cen ◽  
Yuehui Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The Yunnan province is located near the “Golden Triangle” border region between China, Myanmar and Thailand, which has the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence in China. Female sex workers (FSWs) in the Yunnan province are highly vulnerable to HIV infection. The objective of this study was to examine the experiences of FSWs in the Yunnan to better understand the risk of infection and the potential for transmission of HIV. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted between May 2018 and June 2018 with 20 FSWs recruited in Hekou County, Yunnan Province, China. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify themes that highlighted increased exposure of FSWs to the risk of HIV infection and transmission. Results The findings showed that FSWs’ primary source for HIV information was gynecologists, with few visiting the local HIV charity Red Ribbon. FSWs reported infrequent visits for check-ups with some seeing a gynecologist once a year. FSWs felt that the onus was on them to prevent STI/HIV infection by using a condom during sex, regardless of their ability to negotiate use. FSWs were also reluctant to see a gynecologists for treatment. Instead, they resorted to douching as a way of preventing HIV/STIs and treating vaginal health problems, such as leucorrhea. Most FSWs worked without the influence of alcohol and drugs. A small number of FSWs reported heroin addiction and injecting drug use. Conclusion The findings suggest a need for innovative HIV prevention strategies among FSWs and their clients in the Chinese border region. Governmental agencies should continue to implement practical strategies in terms of HIV prevention education and condom use through tailored interventions that are localized. Such strategies should include localized tailored interventions that dispel myths about douching as a method of HIV/STI prevention and incorporate a mobile outreach approach, similar to the ‘roadside restaurant’ outreach that has been successful in rural China.


Sexual Health ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Razieh Khajehkazemi ◽  
AliAkbar Haghdoost ◽  
Soodabeh Navadeh ◽  
Hamidreza Setayesh ◽  
Leily Sajadi ◽  
...  

Background In this study data of three national surveys conducted among female sex workers (FSW), prison inmates and people who inject drugs (PWID) were presented and compared in relation to knowledge, attitude, and practises. Methods: The surveys were conducted in 2009 and 2010 and included 2546 PWID, 872 FSW and 5530 prison inmates. Knowledge, attitude and practises towards HIV were measured through similar questions for each category. Results: Over 90% of all participants had ever heard of HIV/AIDS, although only approximately half of them perceived themselves at risk of contracting HIV. More than 80% were able to correctly identify the ways of preventing the sexual transmission of HIV; while more than two-thirds did not use condom in their last sexual contact. Approximately 20% of prisoners and FSW had a history of injecting drugs. Among all participants who have injected drugs, prisoners had the highest unsafe injecting behaviour at the last injection (61%), followed by FSW (11%) and PWID (3%). Conclusions: Despite major efforts to control the HIV epidemic in Iran, the level of risk and vulnerability among prisoners, FSW and PWID is still high. The level of comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS is relatively good; however, their risk perception of contracting HIV is low and high-risk behaviours are prevalent. Therefore, HIV prevention programs should be redesigned in a more comprehensive way to identify the best venues to reach the largest number of people at a higher risk of contracting HIV and decrease their risk overlaps and vulnerability factors.


2008 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 830-837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Malta ◽  
Simone Monteiro ◽  
Rosa Maria Jeronymo Lima ◽  
Suzana Bauken ◽  
Aliamar de Marco ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE: To understand the social context of female sex workers who use crack and its impact on HIV/AIDS risk behaviors. METHODODOLOGICAL PROCEDURES: Qualitative study carried out in Foz do Iguaçu, Southern Brazil, in 2003. Twenty-six in-depth interviews and two focus groups were carried out with female commercial sex workers who frequently use crack. In-depth interviews with health providers, community leaders and public policy managers, as well as field observations were also conducted. Transcript data was entered into Atlas.ti software and grounded theory methodology was used to analyze the data and develop a conceptual model as a result of this study. ANALYSIS OF RESULTS: Female sex workers who use crack had low self-perceived HIV risk in spite of being engaged in risky behaviors (e.g. unprotected sex with multiple partners). Physical and sexual violence among clients, occasional and stable partners was widespread jeopardizing negotiation and consistent condom use. According to health providers, community leaders and public policy managers, several female sex workers who use crack are homeless or live in slums, and rarely have access to health services, voluntary counseling and testing, social support, pre-natal and reproductive care. CONCLUSIONS: Female sex workers who use crack experience a plethora of health and social problems, which apparently affect their risks for HIV infection. Low-threshold, user-friendly and gender-tailored interventions should be implemented, in order to increase the access to health and social-support services among this population. Those initiatives might also increase their access to reproductive health in general, and to preventive strategies focusing on HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections.


AIDS ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (Suppl 2) ◽  
pp. S45-S54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ziyad Mahfoud ◽  
Rema Afifi ◽  
Sami Ramia ◽  
Danielle El Khoury ◽  
Kassem Kassak ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 421-432
Author(s):  
Jaclyn Shea ◽  
Agatha Bula ◽  
Wezzie Dunda ◽  
Mina C. Hosseinipour ◽  
Carol E. Golin ◽  
...  

Female sex workers (FSW) are disproportionately at risk for HIV. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective HIV prevention method, yet approaches for incorporating PrEP within prevention strategies used by FSW are lacking. Semistructured focus group discussions were conducted with 44 HIV-negative FSW in Lilongwe, Malawi to explore perceptions of PrEP: acceptability, integration within HIV prevention behaviors, and barriers to use. Acceptability of PrEP was high. Motivation to use PrEP was rooted in love for one's life, anticipated negative economic effects associated with HIV acquisition. PrEP was viewed as complementary to existing norms for engaging in healthy sexual behaviors. Many felt PrEP may provide extra protection from HIV, along with condoms and frequent STI testing. Unpredictable daily lives, stigma, and side effects were barriers that could affect PrEP use. Leveraging existing HIV prevention strategies and social norms surrounding HIV prevention behaviors may positively impact PrEP uptake among FSW in Malawi and sub-Saharan Africa.


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