Investigation of demographic and behavioral changes related to AIDS among urban female sex workers(FSW)

Objective To understand the demographic changes of female sex workers(FSW) in a seaside city and their high risk behavior related to AIDS in recent years.Methods Investigation was made continuously for 4 years among female sex workers detained in Women Education Station(WES) from 2000 to 2003.Results The number of female sex workers in WES was tending to reduce gradually.A total of 321.FSW were investigated,with an average age of 26.37 years.Of them 59%-74% were unmarried;over 80% got an education of less than 9 years.It seemed that the proportion of married women was increasing;80% were without income or with low income when engaging in sex work.Over 80% were floating population and many of them were selling sex individually in their capacity of waitresses or attendants.The average of accumulative sex partners was 11.47;16%-29% had suffered from STD.The proportion of FSW receiving HIV testing and counseling was increasing evidently in recent years.More and more female sex workers began to use condom,and the condom use rate was influenced evidently by attitude of their commercial sex partners.Conclusion The change in demographic characteristics of FSW resulted in more difficulty for AIDS prevention.The condom use rate and the proportion of FSW receiving HIV testing and counseling were increasing in recent years.Although AIDS related education in the public influenced FSW effectively,condom use should be promoted particularly among female sex workers in entertainment sites.