title: HIV prevalence and related behaviors among sex workers in Jamaica.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aims of the study were to estimate HIV prevalence among sex workers (SWs) in Jamaica and to identify risk factors associated with HIV infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Face to face interviews and HIV testing of 450 SWs across Jamaica were conducted in 2005. Participants were identified by key informants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  About 9% of SWs were HIV-positive. HIV-positive SWs tended to be older, less educated, have a history of crack/cocaine use, and were less likely to be aware of the Ministry of Health's prevention programme. More than 90% of SWs reported having easy access to condoms and using condoms at last sex with local and tourist clients. However, 30% of SWs used condoms with nonpaying partners. Knowledge of HIV prevention methods was high but only 38.6% of SWs appropriately rejected myths about HIV transmission by mosquito bites and meal sharing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevention programmes targeting SWs must emphasize the risk associated with both paying and nonpaying sexual partners while providing knowledge about HIV prevention. Increased access to prevention programmes is likely to reduce HIV prevalence among this population.
authors.affiliation: Monitoring Evaluation Unit, National HIV/STI Programme, Kingston, Jamaica. duncanj@moh.gov.jm <duncanj@moh.gov.jm>
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: Yitades
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gebre
authors.forename: Yoran
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.forename: Maxine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wedderburn
authors.forename: Lovette
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Byfield
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bourne
authors.forename: Marsha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: J Peter
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Figueroa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007563:Jamaica / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D011477:Sex Work; D012747:Sexual Partners; D055815:Young Adult