A randomized controlled trial of an HIV prevention intervention for street-based female sex workers in Yerevan, Armenia: preliminary evidence of efficacy.
This study evaluated the efficacy of an HIV intervention among female sex workers (FSWs) randomized to an intervention or wait-list control. FSWs (N = 120) completed baseline, 3- and 6-month assessments. A health educator implemented 2-hour intervention emphasized gender-empowerment, self-efficacy to persuade clients to use condoms, condom application skills, and eroticizing safer sex. Over the 6-month follow-up, FSWs in the intervention reported more consistent condom use with clients (P = .004) and were more likely to apply condoms on clients (P = .0001). Intervention effects were observed for other psychosocial mediators of safer sex. Brief, gender and culturally congruent interventions can enhance HIV-preventive behaviors among FSWs.
Markosyan
Karine
K
College of Health Sciences, American University of Armenia, Yerevan, Armenia.
Lang
Delia L
DL
Salazar
Laura F
LF
DiClemente
Ralph J
RJ
Hardin
James W
JW
Darbinyan
Nelli
N
Joseph
Jesse B
JB
Khurshudyan
Marietta
M
D000328:Adult; D001136:Armenia; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D011584:Psychology; D021841:Safe Sex; D011477:Sex Work; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D016896:Treatment Outcome