Analysis of core indicators of behavioral surveillance surveys among female sex workers from 2005 to 2007

Objective To analyze behavioral changes related to HIV/AIDS and trends of HIV epidemic among female sex workers(FSWs),and to provide information for integrated HIV prevention and evaluation of interventions.Methods Continuous surveillance was provided in 41 sites from 2005 to 2007,when cross-sectional surveys were conducted among institution-based and street based female sex workers,and blood samples were faken.Result The rate of using condoms in the last commercial sex activities among the surveyed FSWs was:73.7%,81.1% and 81.5% in the respective 3 years from 2005 to 2007;while the rate of consistently using condoms in sex with clients during the last month was:49.3%,56.4% and 5.4% in the respective 3 years.Female sex workers who had injecting drug use were identified in one third surveillance sites.The rate of awareness of HIV/AIDS transmission among the FSWs was 62.4%,57.3% and 64.8%,respectively.The proportion of the FSWs who attended HIV VCT services was 10.9%,16.6% and 24.9%,respectively.The proportion of the FSWs who received intervention service within the last year was 51.3%,78.8% and 89.8%,respectively.The HIV detection rate was 0.0%(median value)in all the 3 years while the syphilis detection rate was 0.6%,1.0% and 1.15% respectively.Conclusion Rate of condom use and HIV awareness need to be further enhanced among female sex workers.The rate of condom use in the last sex with clients may be over estimated.The proportion of female sex workers who have received intervention service tends to increase;the coverage of behavioral intervention,voluntary counseling and testing and public education is increased gradually.HIV prevalence rate among female sex workers is generally low,but relatively high in some regions.High risk behaviors,such as unprotected sex and injecting drug use are not uncommon among FSWs.All this means that behavioral intervention is a long-term tough task,and to ensure its effectiveness and sustainability integrated HIV/AIDS prevention and control program will be needed.