Baseline survey on STD/AIDS knowledge,attitude and practice among female sex workers

Objective To understand knowledge,attitude and practice on STD/AIDS among female sex workers(FSWs) in entertainment establishments,so as to better guide the implementation of the program and evaluating its effects.Methods Face to face questionnaires among FSWs were conducted in a district of Nanjing city.Results Totally 209 FSWs in 76 entertainment establishments were involved in this survey.The average rate of the awareness on STD symptoms and AIDS knowledge was 32.7% and 81.0%.81.9% FSWs had 1～3 clients everyday in last week.The reported condom use rate at the last sex with clients was 85.6%,and with fixed partners it was 40.1% averagely.The frequency of FSWs moving from one city or place to another city or place was 24.3% and 53.4% respectively.When having SID,57.4% FSWs would like to visit STD clinics in general hospitals for treatment and care.Conclusion The low knowledge on STD/AIDS,the high occurrence of unsafe sex and floating characteristics requires further health education among FSWs.Intervention should be conducted by provision them with outreach service and peer education to promote awareness,encouraging correct and insistent condom use to prevent STD/AIDS spread in local area.