HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis interest among female sex workers in Guangxi, China.
OBJECTIVE
Acceptability of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and willingness to participate in a clinical trial for both safety and efficacy of PrEP were investigated among female sex workers (FSWs) in Guangxi, China.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was performed in three cities in Guangxi. Structured, self-administered questionnaires were used to assess the acceptability of PrEP and the willingness to participate in a clinical trial. Multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to identify predictors.


RESULTS
Among 405 participants, 15.1% had heard of PrEP. If PrEP was deemed to be effective, safe and provided for free, 85.9% reported that they would accept it, and 54.3% of those who accepted PrEP said that they would participate in a clinical trial. The increased acceptability of PrEP was associated with working in male dominated venues, higher income, a poor family relationship, better HIV/AIDS knowledge, not realizing HIV risk from unfamiliar clients, not being forced to use condoms by the gatekeepers, consistent use of condoms, and use of drugs to prevent STD infection. The increased willingness to participate in a clinical trial was associated with a poor family relationship, better HIV/AIDS knowledge, not realizing HIV risk from unfamiliar clients, a willingness to adhere to daily PreP use, and not being concerned about discrimination by others. The main reason for rejecting PrEP or participating in a clinical trial was the concern about the side effects of PrEP.


CONCLUSIONS
Acceptability of PrEP among Guangxi FSWs is relatively high, indicating that PrEP intervention programs may be feasible for Chinese FSWs. Given the fact that most of the participants had never heard of PrEP before, and that family, gatekeepers, and social discrimination could significantly affect its acceptability, a comprehensive mix of multiple interventions is necessary for the successful implementation of a PrEP program among this population in Guangxi.
Guangxi Key Laboratory of AIDS Prevention and Treatment, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
Li
L
Ye
The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
Suosu
S
Wei
Guangxi Key Laboratory of AIDS Prevention and Treatment, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
Yunfeng
Y
Zou
Guangxi Key Laboratory of AIDS Prevention and Treatment, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
Xiaobo
X
Yang
Guangxi Key Laboratory of AIDS Prevention and Treatment, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China ; Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United Staes of America.
Abu S
AS
Abdullah
School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Xiaoni
X
Zhong
State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.
Yuhua
Y
Ruan
Nanning Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
Xinqin
X
Lin
Liuzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Liuzhou, Guangxi, China.
Mingqiang
M
Li
Beihai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beihai, Guangxi, China.
Deren
D
Wu
Guangxi Key Laboratory of AIDS Prevention and Treatment, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
Junjun
J
Jiang
Guangxi Key Laboratory of AIDS Prevention and Treatment, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
Peiyan
P
Xie
Guangxi Key Laboratory of AIDS Prevention and Treatment, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
Jiegang
J
Huang
Guangxi Key Laboratory of AIDS Prevention and Treatment, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
Bingyu
B
Liang
Guangxi Key Laboratory of AIDS Prevention and Treatment, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
Bo
B
Zhou
Guangxi Key Laboratory of AIDS Prevention and Treatment, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
Jinming
J
Su
Guangxi Key Laboratory of AIDS Prevention and Treatment, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China.
Hao
H
Liang
School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Ailong
A
Huang
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018890:Chemoprevention; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011292:Premedication; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D060386:Sex Workers; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents