[Acceptability of vaginal microbicides among female sex workers in urban Beijing, China].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the attitudes and willingness towards vaginal microbicides use among female sex workers (FSWs) for HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention in an urban district of Beijing, China, as well as its related factors.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study using convenience sampling was conducted. A total of 54 FSWs were recruited from Shijingshan District in urban Beijing. Main outcome variables were measured by microbicide acceptability score with questionnaire, including high-risk sexual behaviors, self-reported condom use, self-reported HIV/STI history and perception on the risk of HIV/STI.


RESULTS
Mean score of microbicide acceptability in FSWs was 2.73 (ranging 1 to 4). Acceptability score varied by the type of their sex partner (P = 0.049), experience of HIV testing (P = 0.037) and concerns about contracting STI (P = 0.042). Willingness to use and covert use of microbicides in FSWs varied significantly with their sex partners (P = 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
FSWs in Shijingshan district might have a positive response to vaginal microbicides use across all hypothetical characteristics in general. Further study is needed for comprehensive understanding of contextual factors related to it.
Han
Lin
L
School of Nursing, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China.
Lv
Fan
F
Zhang
Guo-lei
GL
Wu
Zheng-lai
ZL
D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002681:China; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D047568:Unsafe Sex; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local