title: Introductory study on female condom use among sex workers in China.
abstract: There is lack of barrier method use among sex workers (SWs) in China. Our objective was to find new ways to introduce female condoms (FCs) among SWs, and to increase knowledge of, support for, and use of this method in this population. We used the intervention study method and provided the SWs of experimental groups with information, education, and communication on FCs and provided them with FCs. We recruited 330 SWs as the participants of the study in Enping City, China. The selected 330 SWs were randomly divided into the experimental group (165 SWs to use female condom) and the others into the reference group (165 SWs to use male condom). Questionnaires were used to evaluate the intervention study. At the end of our study, 15 SWs were lost of follow-up, so only 315 were included in the analysis. After intervention, about 97% of SWs in the intervention group expressed that they would use FC in the future. The rate of SWs who reported liking FC increased from 60% at pre-intervention to 94% at post-intervention. The rate of SWs who considered their clients could accept FC increased from 27% to 92%, and the rate of SWs who were willing to recommend FC to others increased from 19% to 70%. In comparison with the first several uses, during last several uses about 80% of SWs expressed that it became easier to use FC. Our intervention increased knowledge of, positive attitudes towards, and correct use of FC in this population of SWs.
authors.affiliation: National Research Institute for Family Planning, People's Republic of, Beijing, China.ChengYM@ihw.com.cn
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yimin
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhaohui
authors.forename: Wang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xianmi
authors.forename: Wang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Shiying
authors.forename: Hu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lingzhi
authors.forename: Xie
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yueying
authors.forename: Huang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xiaolan
authors.forename: Xu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lifen
authors.forename: Wu
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yunzhen
authors.forename: Zheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shaolan
authors.forename: Liu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yulian
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D017280:Condoms; D019111:Single-Use Internal Condom / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D011477:Sex Work; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires