Differences of HIV/AIDS Related Knowledge,Attitudes and Practices Between Commercial Sex Workers and Their Clients

Objective: To compare the HIV/AIDS related knowledge,attitudes and pratices (KAP) among the commercial sexworkers (CSWs) with that of their clients in Shenzhen. Methods: A total of 124 female CSWs and 155 men,detained for selling or purchasing sexual services, wereinterviewed using a structured questionnaire. Results: CSWs scored higher than their clients on AIDS/HIVknowledge scores, though the difference was not significantand both groups only scored near 50%. Almost alwayscondom use rates were significantly higher for CSWs. Most ofthe women but fewer men knew condom use could preventHIV/AIDS infection. The main reason for not using condomsamong the women was the unwillingness of their customers. Ahigher proportion of the CSWs (9.7%) than men (2.6%) hadever used illegal drugs. The mean age of first sexualintercourse (18.2±2.1) and first commercial sex (20.2±3.9)among the CSWs were lower than that of the men (22.2±0.3and 27.1±0.6, respectively). Conclusion: New health education programs promotingcondom use should be developed to raise awareness aboutHIV/AIDS, particularly among men. CSWs and clients arehigh-risk groups for HIV/AIDS infection and transmission.