title: Epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and related high-risk behaviors among female sex workers in Guangxi Autonomous Region, China.
abstract: This study assessed the epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections (STIs),  HIV, and associated risk factors among female sex workers (FSWs) in Guangxi autonomous region,  China. A cross-sectional study of 488 FSWs was conducted using a structured questionnaire to collect  sociodemographic and behavioral information. Biological specimens from subjects were sampled to  detect various STIs and HIV infection. Among FSWs, the prevalence rates of syphilis, Neisseria  gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, genital herpes, condyloma acuminate, and HIV were 7.2%, 1.8%,  18.2%, 0.4%, 2.3%, and 0.8%, respectively. The prevalence rates of single, double, and triple  infections were 22.3%, 3.9%, and 0.20%, respectively. Multivariate analysis indicated that STIs  and HIV infection was independently related to low education level (OR = 7.244; 95% CI =  3.031-17.213; P < 0.001), low knowledge of STIs/HIV (OR = 0.191; 95% CI = 0.108-0.337; P < 0.001),  low-grade working place (OR = 1.64; 95%CI = 1.016-2.648; P = 0.046), and no condom use during the  last sexual intercourse (OR = 0.199; 95% CI = 0.113-0.350; P < 0.001). The prevalence of STIs is  high among FSWs in Guangxi, is accompanied by a 0.8% HIV-positive rate, and may be largely related  to high-risk sexual behaviors. Future interventions should be focused on the reduction of risk  factors, including promotion of condom use and improvement of knowledge of STIs and HIV among FSWs.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dermatology, Guangxi Autonomous Region, Nanning, China.
authors.forename: Bang-Yong
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bu
authors.forename: Pei-Yong
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Zhi-Guang
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Yue-Ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Xiang-Sheng
authors.initials: XS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Wan-Hui
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Ming-Ying
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Hong-Chu
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Quan
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Gan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000472:pathogenicity; D019111:Single-Use Internal Condom; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV / Q000472:pathogenicity; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012309:Risk-Taking; D060386:Sex Workers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult