The efficacy of a peer-assisted multi-component behavioral intervention among female entertainment workers in China: an initial assessment.
Women working in China's entertainment industry are at increased risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV/sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Efforts to develop effective risk-reduction interventions for female entertainment workers (FEWs) remain limited. We conducted a randomized controlled trial of a theory-based risk-reduction intervention among FEWs in Shanghai. The intervention condition consisted of small group, peer-assisted sessions integrating information-motivation-behavioral skills training with social influences of behavior change. The control condition was an attention-matched HIV, health education, and counseling. At three-month post-intervention, participants in the intervention condition reported greater reductions in unprotected sex with a stable partner than participants in the control condition. However, participants in the control condition reported greater reductions in unprotected sex with a non-stable partner than participants in the intervention condition. Some aspects of the study design may have diluted the effects of the intervention. Future intervention studies need to pay more attention to social influences of behavior change and the particular challenges of risk-reduction with stable partner(s).
Sociology and Criminal Justice, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA. xyang@odu.edu
Xiushi
X
Yang
Guomei
G
Xia
Xiaoming
X
Li
Carl
C
Latkin
David
D
Celentano
D000328:Adult; D032763:Behavior Control / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002681:China; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D009042:Motivation; D010379:Peer Group; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D060386:Sex Workers / Q000523:psychology; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult