Objective To evaluate the transmission risk by surveying prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STD), condom usage and knowledge about AIDS among female entertainment workers (FEWs) in a district of Shanghai, and to provide a basis for making AIDS prevention interventions.
Methods A total of 4 large and 18 small entertainment venues in Luwan Distract of Shanghai were selected by random sampling method, and 124 FEWs were included. Their condom usage and knowledge about AIDS were investigated by questionnaires. Their blood and urine samples were collected and tested.
Results The positive rates of STD and HIV were 11.3% and 0.8% respectively. Among the FEWs investigated, the proportion of consistent condom use in sex with clients was only 40.9%, and the proportion of providing sexual services for more than 3 months accounted for 78.4%. The risk of STD in fection in FEWs with drug addiction was significantly higher than those without (OR=22.9).
Conclusion FEWs play a bridge role in transmitting HIV/STD from the high risk population to the general population because they are sexually active and provide sexual services for a long time and in a frequent manner, with drug using history, insufficient AIDS/STD prevention knowledge and a low rate of condom use. The risk of HIV/STD infection among them is very high. Therefore, more attention should be paid to AIDS/STD knowledge, anti-drug education and condom usage promotion to reduce the frequency of unsafe sexual behaviors.
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