The first community-based sexually transmitted disease/HIV intervention trial for female sex workers in China

OBJECTIVES: This study was the first community-based intervention to test feasibility and effectiveness of an intervention targeting sex workers in China. DESIGN: Prospective, community-based, pre/post-intervention trial. METHOD: Thirty establishments in Chengjiang, 34 in Ruili and 23 in Longchuan were selected for the study. The study participants were female sex workers. Out-reach workers visited the establishments to conduct intervention activities over 6 weeks. The activities included lectures, discussion, video and audio cassettes, and distribution of educational folders and condoms. Pre- and post-intervention cross-sectional surveys assessed changes in sexually transmitted disease (STD)/AIDS knowledge and condom use. RESULTS: After the intervention, knowledge of the three HIV transmission routes increased from 25 to 88% (P < 0.01), knowledge that condoms can reduce the risk of STD/HIV infection increased from 56 to 94% (P < 0.01). Condom use at last sex and in the last three sexual encounters increased from 61 to 85% (P < 0.01) and from 41 to 70%, respectively. Multivariate analyses indicated that the intervention was an independent factor (P < 0.01) for these changes. CONCLUSION: The intervention programme was effective at increasing HIV/AIDS knowledge and condom use rates among sex workers in the community and should be expanded.