Internet Use Among Female Sex Workers in China: Implications for HIV/STI Prevention

Authors: Hong, Yan¹; Li, Xiaoming²; Fang, Xiaoyi³; Lin, Xiuyun³; Zhang, Chen⁴

Source: AIDS and Behavior, Volume 15, Number 2, February 2011 , pp. 273-282(10)

Publisher: Springer

Abstract:

Based on a cross-sectional survey with 1,022 female sex workers (FSWs) recruited from different types of commercial sex venues in Southwest China, we examined their Internet-using behaviors and explored the feasibility of Internet-based HIV/STI intervention in this population. About 75% of FSWs were Internet users; among them 57% were frequent users, and 40% had searched HIV/STI information online. Internet use was significantly associated with younger age, more schooling, higher income, and engagement in a social network of Internet users. Frequent use of the Internet was associated only with factors of the social environment, such as peers' Internet use. Two thirds of Internet-using FSWs were willing to participate in an online HIV/STI prevention program. Multivariate analyses showed that willingness to participate in an online HIV/STI prevention intervention was significantly associated with higher Internet use and younger age. Our data suggest that Internet may offer a promising strategy to deliver low-cost HIV/STI prevention programs for FSWs in China.

Keywords: Internet use; Female sex workers; HIV/STI intervention; Feasibility; China

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10461-010-9846-1

Affiliations: 1: Department of Social and Behavioral Health, School of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M Health Science Center, 1266 TAMU, College Station, TX, USA, Email: yhong@srph.tamhsc.edu 2: Prevention Research Center, Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA 3: Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China 4: Department of Social and Behavioral Health, School of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M Health Science Center, 1266 TAMU, College Station, TX, USA

Publication date: 2011-02-01

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