Analysis of duration of risk behaviour for key populations: a literature review

Abstract

BackgroundThe objective of this paper is to review literature in order to calculate regional estimates of the average duration of time individuals maintain a specific high-risk behaviour.MethodsThe review targeted the key populations of female sex workers (FSW), male clients of female sex workers (MCFSW), people who inject drugs (injecting drug users (IDU)) and high-risk men who have sex with men (MSM). To be included in the review the study had to provide information on (1) the time a person spent at risk until death or cessation of the risk behaviour, (2) the percentage of the sample who initiated the risk behaviour in less than a year or (3) the mean or median duration of the behaviour from a representative sample.Results49 papers were found for the FSW population describing the period of time FSW stay in sex work to be between 2.9 years (Asia) and 12 years (Latin America). Eight papers were found for MCFSW showing the duration of the risk behaviour in this category varying from 4.6 years in Africa to 32 years in Asia. 86 papers were reviewed for the population of IDU showing that the average time a person injects illegal drugs varies from 5.6 years (Africa) to 21 years (South America). No information was found for duration of high-risk behaviour among MSM; instead, the definitions found in the literature for high- and low-risk behaviour among MSM were described.ConclusionsThere is high variability of estimates of duration of high-risk behaviours at regional level. More research is needed to inform models and prevention programmes on the average duration of time individuals maintain a specific high-risk behaviour.

HIV Prevalence and Risk Behaviors Among Female Sex Workers in Botswana: Results from the 2012 HIV/STI Bio-Behavioral Study

“…With high HIV prevalence, a population size mid estimate of over 4,000 in the three districts studied, and a mean of 7.6 sex partners in the week before the survey, FSWs in Botswana, like their counterparts in other sub-Saharan African countries, have clearly played an important role in advancing the epidemic [16]. The mean duration of sex work of 4.7 years in the study is close to the 5.5 years reported during a recent literature review as the average duration of female sex work in Africa [17], which means the sample had a long cumulative exposure to HIV risk.…”

HIV/AIDS - Related Knowledge, Attitudes, and Sexual Practices among Migrant Wives in Rural Anhui Province, China

“…However clusters of high rates of infection exist both geographically and within specific sub-groups [1]. One group, the migrant population group, have become an important “bridge population” in the spread of the HIV/AIDS virus [2]. In 2012, there were 63 million migrant women of child-bearing age in China, accounting for 25% of all women of child-bearing age [3].…”

“…These women were mostly sexually active but had low HIV/AIDS-related knowledge. Coupled with risky sexual behaviors, this puts them at a higher potential risk for HIV transmission compared to the overall Chinese population [2]. …”

“…In this paper the term “migrant wife” refers to a woman who has migrated from another province in China or an underdeveloped foreign country to marry and live with a local man in rural areas of Langxi County, Anhui Province, China [2]. The majority of Chinese migrant wives were from Yunnan, Sichuan and Guangxi [2], the most HIV-prevalent provinces in China [1].…”

“…The majority of Chinese migrant wives were from Yunnan, Sichuan and Guangxi [2], the most HIV-prevalent provinces in China [1]. Meanwhile, most of the foreign migrant wives were from Vietnam and Myanmar [2] where high HIV prevalence has been reported [4]. These women – also known as “migrant brides” –normally relocate from economically less developed regions to comparatively richer regions.…”