title: HIV testing behaviors among female sex workers in Southwest China.
abstract: Despite the recognized importance of HIV testing in prevention, care and treatment, HIV testing remains low in China. Millions of female sex workers (FSW) play a critical role in China's escalating HIV epidemic. Limited data are available regarding HIV testing behavior among this at-risk population. This study, based on a cross-sectional survey of 1,022 FSW recruited from communities in Southwest China, attempted to address the literature gap. Our data revealed that 48% of FSW ever took HIV testing; older age, less education, working in higher-income commercial sex venues and better HIV knowledge were associated with HIV testing. Those who never took HIV testing were more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors including inconsistent condom use with clients and stable partners. A number of psychological and structural barriers to testing were also reported. We call for culturally appropriate interventions to reduce HIV risks and promote HIV testing for vulnerable FSW in China.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social and Behavioral Health, School of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, TX 77843, USA. yhong@srph.tamhsc.edu
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiaoming
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xiaoyi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Xiuyun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Yuejiao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012309:Risk-Taking; D011477:Sex Work / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D060386:Sex Workers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult