title: Family Network, Workplace Network, and Their Influence on Condom Use: A Qualitative Study Among Older Female Sex Workers in China.
abstract: The objective of this study was to qualitatively explore the components of social networks and their influence on condom use among female sex workers (FSWs) aged 35 years and older in China. In-depth interviews with 63 older FSWs and 6 focus group interviews with pimps and owners of roadside salons and hotels were conducted in 3 Chinese cities. The mean age of participants was 42.6 years old (SD = 6.9 years) and the mean age of starting sex work was 38.6 years old (SD = 6.6 years). Two types of networks that influenced condom use were identified: family networks (relationship with children and husbands) and workplace networks (relationship with peers, clients, pimps, and owners). Relationships between older FSWs and their children negatively influenced condom use. Low levels of network support and norms regarding condom use were observed in the relationship between older FSWs and their clients, whereas positive social support and norms were prevalent among older FSWs who had frequent contact with peers. Norms for condom use existed among pimps and owners but were counterbalanced by monetary gains. Future human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) interventions for older FSWs should take the different features of social network components into consideration.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health , University of Maryland , College Park.
authors.forename: Chun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hao
authors.affiliation: a Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health , University of Maryland , College Park.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guida
authors.affiliation: b Department of Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health , University of California , Los Angeles.
authors.forename: Donald E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Morisky
authors.affiliation: a Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health , University of Maryland , College Park.
authors.forename: Hongjie
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D017280:Condoms; D005195:Family Relations / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000523:psychology*; D060386:Sex Workers / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology*