Needs and recognition of HIV voluntary counseling and testing among female sex workers in low-class establishments of Maanshan

Objective To explore the knowledge,needs and behavior on HIV voluntary counseling and testing(VCT) among female sex workers in low-class establishments,and to propose reasonable strategies on active seeking of VCT service.Methods Quantitative questionnaire survey and qualitative individual interviews were conducted among female sex workers in the low-class establishments in Maanshan.HIV,HCV and syphilis detecting were carried out.Results A total number of 182 objects were recruited,only 16.5% of whom had ever received VCT service.Among subjects never seeking VCT,60.0% had never heard of VCT.The alternative way was free collective VCT in the entertainment establishments provided by team workers.The infection rate of HIV,HCV and syphilis is 0%,0.55% and 17.6% respectively.Conclusion Education programs on promoting VCT and demand were needed for female sex workers in the low-class establishments.High standard VCT service delivery and measures improvement can attract more female sex workers in the low-class establishments seeking VCT and make VCT service functional.