Evaluation of the overall program effectiveness of HIV-related intervention programs in a community in Sichuan, China.
OBJECTIVE
The study evaluates the overall effectiveness of intervention programs among female sex workers in a Chinese community.


METHODS
Behavioral surveillance data in 2003, 2004, and 2005 obtained from 2 communities (intervened and control) were compared.


RESULTS
The baseline data (2003) of the 2 counties were not significantly different. In 2004 and 2005, the intervened county had significantly higher prevalence of condom use with their clients and regular sex partners (last-time and consistent use in the last month; OR = 2.2-33.2 in 2004 and 3.8-8.3 in 2005), higher HIV-related knowledge level (OR = 7.9 in 2004 and 17.3 in 2005), and lower STD prevalence (OR = 0.22 in 2004 and 0.11 in 2005). Coverage rates of HIV antibody testing and HIV-related services increased in the intervened county but decreased in the control county.


CONCLUSIONS
Intervention programs may result in substantial behavioral changes in a community within a few years.
Lau
Joseph T F
JT
Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. jlau@cuhk.edu.hk
Wang
Renfan
R
Chen
Hongyao
H
Gu
Jing
J
Zhang
Jianxin
J
Cheng
Feng
F
Zhang
Yun
Y
Zhang
Linglin
L
Tsui
Hi-Yi
HY
Wang
Ning
N
Lei
Zhangquan
Z
Zhong
Xiaodong
X
Lan
Yajia
Y
D000328:Adult; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000592:standards; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011477:Sex Work