AIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV
Volume 21, Issue 2, 2009, Pages 212-220

HIV/AIDS-related sexual risks and migratory status among female sex workers in a rural Chinese county (Article)

Hong Y.* , Li X. , Yang H. , Fang X. , Zhao R.
  • a Department of Social and Behavioral Health, School of Rural Public Health, Texas A and M Health Science Center, College Station, TX, United States
  • b Prevention Research Center, Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, United States
  • c Population Services International, Washington, DC, United States
  • d Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
  • e Department of Applied Psychology, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, China

Abstract

Currently, there are millions of female sex workers (FSWs) in China and these women play a critical role in the escalating HIV epidemic in the country. Existing studies revealed high mobility of this population, but data on the relationship of FSWs' migratory status and their HIV/AIDS-related sexual risks are limited. A cross-sectional survey was administered among 454 FSWs in a rural county of Guangxi, China. Sexual risks and current infections of sexually transmitted disease (STD) were compared among local FSWs (i.e. those who were the county residents or from other parts of Guangxi) and those FSWs who migrated from outside Guangxi. Data reveal that local FSWs were younger, less educated and newer to the sex industry, and had more sexual risks and higher rates of STDs compared to migrant FSWs. This relationship remains significant after controlling for potential confounders. A higher level of sexual risks and STDs among local FSWs than migrant FSWs in the rural Chinese county suggests the need to examine the relationship between migratory status and HIV/AIDS-related risks within specific social and cultural contexts. The data also underscore an urgent need for culturally appropriate HIV/AIDS-prevention intervention efforts among FSWs in rural or less developed areas in China. © 2009 Taylor & Francis.

Author Keywords

Migratory status China Sexually transmitted diseases Female sex workers Sexual risks

Index Keywords

China rural area HIV Infections Human immunodeficiency virus infection human controlled study priority journal Occupational Diseases rural health sexually transmitted disease Cross-Sectional Studies Young Adult Humans Adolescent female Socioeconomic Factors Risk Factors prostitution prevalence Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Article major clinical study adult Social Environment infection risk Transients and Migrants acquired immune deficiency syndrome
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-61649108376&doi=10.1080%2f09540120801932165&partnerID=40&md5=1bdb5e7f1503815d53c86ccbd5132a26
DOI: 10.1080/09540120801932165
ISSN: 09540121
Cited by: 19
Original Language: English