title: Application of condoms on male clients by female sex workers in Yerevan, Armenia: prevalence and correlates.
abstract: This study sought to assess the prevalence of consistent condom application on male clients by female sex workers (FSWs) in Armenia and its association with demographic, psychosocial and behavioural factors. In this cross-sectional study, 120 street-based FSWs aged 20-52 completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The primary outcome measure was consistent application of condoms by FSWs on their male clients. A total of 21.7% of participants reported consistently applying condoms on clients. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that higher condom use self-efficacy (Adjusted Odds Ratio, AOR=1.1; p=0.01), lower perceived condom use barriers (AOR=0.9; p=0.04) and not using douching as a method to prevent STI/HIV (AOR=4.8; p=0.04) significantly predicted consistent condom application. Higher HIV/AIDS knowledge was a marginally significant predictor of condom application (AOR=1.3; p=0.05). Future interventions should address these modifiable factors to encourage FSWs to apply condoms on clients themselves, which may reduce condom failure and exposure to HIV transmission.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Services Research and Development, American University of Armenia, Yerevan, Armenia.
authors.forename: Nelli
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Darbinyan
authors.forename: Delia L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: Ralph J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Diclemente
authors.forename: Jesse B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.forename: Karine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Markosyan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001136:Armenia / Q000453:epidemiology; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D011582:Psychological Theory; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012309:Risk-Taking; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012737:Sex Factors; D011477:Sex Work / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult