title: Prevalence of psychological problems and relationships with condom use and HIV prevention behaviors among Chinese female sex workers in Hong Kong.
abstract: The present study investigated the prevalence of psychological problems and their relationships with relevant HIV prevention behaviors among female sex workers (FSWs). An anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted. With a mapping exercise, 293 Chinese FSWs were recruited from a red-light district in Hong Kong. Results showed high prevalence of psychological problems among FSWs: substance use (40.4%), probable depression (53.9%), self-harm tendencies (34-38%), poor self-esteem (48-52%), and pessimistic future outlook (46-47%). Inconsistent condom use was common (51% with clients, 23% with one-night-stand sex partner, and 73% with boyfriends). Over 70% had not used HIV-related prevention services in the last 6 months. Multivariate analyses indicated that psychological problems were significantly associated with inconsistent condom use and non-use of prevention services. The poor psychological well-beings of FSWs have important public health implications. Relevant professional services should be provided and integrated with HIV prevention efforts.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Behaviours Research, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. jlau@cuhk.edu.hk <jlau@cuhk.edu.hk>
authors.forename: Joseph T F
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: H Y
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Tsui
authors.forename: Shara P Y
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D015438:Health Behavior; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology; D011477:Sex Work / Q000523:psychology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult