Many sex workers in Shanghai China unaware of HIV/AIDS as a disease

[Avnish Jolly]

Many sex workers in Shanghai China unaware of HIV/AIDS as a disease
http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/Non-food/Disease/hiv_1607100739.html

16/07/2010 12:37:00 admin

A new study has revealed many sex workers in Shanghai, China had no
knowledge of HIV/AIDS and engaged in high risk sexual activities.

The study led by Cai Y and colleagues of Shanghai Jiaotong University
School of Medicine and other organizations found that overall, only
60.8 percent of the sex workers participating in the survey correctly
answered questions about HIV/AIDS.

As China's economy is booming, the Asian giant is also facing a rapid
increase in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

The researchers believed that female sex workers have contributed to
the growing epidemic of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted
diseases in China.

Cai and colleagues enlisted 423 female sex workers from five districts
of Shanghai including three suburbs and two downtown areas for the
survey.

Of the participants, 33.4 percent reported they had ever engaged in
sexual activities with their clients without using condoms and 51.2
percent reported condom slippage or breakage had occurred at least
once.

Those who worked in the suburban areas more often engaged in high-risk
sexual activities including oral and anal sex than those from downtown
areas.

Sixty six percent of sex workers reported having non-client sexual
partners such as boyfriends or husbands and condom usage among these
partners were only 34 percent.

The researchers advised that "promotion of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge
be targeted towards FSWs in Shanghai, especially those operating in
the suburbs."

The study titled A study of HIV/AIDS related knowledge, attitude and
behaviors among female sex workers in Shanghai China was published in
the June 2010 issue of BMC Public Health.