title: HIV, other sexually transmitted infections, and risk behaviors among female sex workers in Liuzhou, China.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of infections with HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV), and of syphilis among female sex workers (FSWs) in Liuzhou, China, along with levels of HIV-related knowledge and frequencies of risk behaviors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey was conducted between July 2012 and January 2013. FSWs (aged ≥16 years; reported receiving payment for sex in previous 6 months) working at 58 selected commercial sex establishments (level 1 [>¥300 per transaction], level 2 [¥100-300], or level 3 [<¥100]) completed a questionnaire and provided blood samples for testing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 622 participating FSWs, 7 (1.1%) had HIV infection, 67 (10.8%) syphilis, and 44 (7.1%) HCV infection. Consistent condom use during commercial sex encounters in the past month was reported by 412 (66.2%) FSWs. Inconsistent condom use was most likely in FSWs working in level 3 establishments (odds ratio [OR] 1.85; 95% CI 1.02-3.39), with a regular partner (OR 1.65; 95% CI 1.12-2.45), and who used illicit drugs (OR 2.10; 95% CI 1.24-3.54). Inconsistent condom use was least likely in FSWs with high HIV awareness (OR 0.29; 95% CI 0.18-0.48) and who had had a previous HIV test (OR 0.51; 95% CI 0.34-0.76).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further prioritized and combined programs aimed at FSWs are needed to prevent HIV transmission in China.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
authors.forename: Yin-Guang
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: Liuzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Liuzhou, China.
authors.forename: Jin-Ji
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
authors.forename: Yu-Jing
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
authors.forename: Se-Ying
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.affiliation: Liuzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Liuzhou, China.
authors.forename: Ming-Qiang
authors.initials: MQ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China. Electronic address: ydq@ahmu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Dong-Qing
authors.initials: DQ
authors.lastname: Ye
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D060386:Sex Workers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013587:Syphilis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Female sex worker; HIV; Hepatitis C; Risk behavior; Syphilis