HIV voluntary testing and perceived risk among female sex workers in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam

Abstract

IntroductionHIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) comprise an effective preventive measure and an entry point to care and support services. We sought to assess VCT uptake and HIV-related knowledge and perceived risk among female sex workers (FSWs) in five provinces of the Mekong Delta region.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was carried out in 1998 FSWs, including both street-based sex workers (SSWs) and entertainment-based sex workers (ESWs).ResultsHigh proportions of FSWs were aware that using condoms (94.6%), and clean needles (34.1%) are preventive measures that reduce the risk of HIV transmission. Some FSWs reported avoiding public toilet use (8.6%), physical contacts (16.1%), or sharing meals (10.9%) with people living with HIV/AIDS, and preventing mosquito bites (20.8%). Twenty-nine percent (29.0%) of FSWs perceived themselves as being at risk of HIV infection. Only 32.7% had ever tested for HIV, of whom 54% were voluntary for testing. FSWs who ever injected drugs (OR = 0.03, p=0.05), had drug-injecting clients (OR = 0.07, p<0.01), and had inconsistent condom use with husbands or lovers (OR = 0.10, p=0.01) were less likely to have a voluntary test. Inconsistent condom use with clients (OR = 13.86, p<0.01), and receiving HIV information from radio (OR = 13.28, p<0.05) and communication campaigns (OR = 6.69, p<0.05), increased the likelihood of VCT uptake.ConclusionInadequate knowledge and some misconceptions about HIV transmission routes and preventive measures, low perceived risk of HIV infection, and low VCT uptake were observed among FSWs in the Mekong Delta region. Interventions to improve their knowledge and self-efficacy, reduce risky behaviors, and encourage VCT uptake and early access to health care services are necessary to prevent HIV transmission in this region.

HIV Testing and Counseling Among Female Sex Workers: A Systematic Literature Review

“…Seventeen articles examined HIV knowledge, including knowledge of available HIV testing sites in the area [19, 29, 31, 33–36, 38–41, 45, 47–51]. FSWs who had heard prevention messages in HIV communication campaigns were more likely to test [33, 47, 51].…”

“…FSWs who had heard prevention messages in HIV communication campaigns were more likely to test [33, 47, 51]. Similarly, FSWs were reluctant to test if they had poor HIV-related knowledge [29, 36, 41, 48, 49, 51] and were not well informed about local testing sites [31, 41, 48, 50–52].…”

“…In Vietnam, among the FSWs who tested for HIV, only 54% did it voluntarily [33]. FSWs who had spent time in rehabilitation or detention centers [24, 30, 50] or had ever been pregnant [24, 50] were more likely to have undergone HIV testing.…”

What are the factors associated with human immunodeficiency virus/sexually transmitted infection screening behaviour among heterosexual men patronising entertainment establishments who engaged in casual or paid sex? – Results from a cross-sectional survey in an Asian urban setting

“…Low risk perception is an important barrier to testing as people who do not perceive themselves to be at risk of infection are less likely to go for testing and also take preventive measures such as condom usage [6]. Such discordance has been well reported in other HIV at-risk groups such as sexually active adolescents, MSM and female sex workers in Asia [37–39]. For instance, adolescents who engaged in unprotected sex and yet held low risk perception were less likely to go for screening due to their lack of perceived susceptibility to HIV/STI compared to those who had higher risk perception [38].…”

Does fear for infection affect condom use and HIV testing? A study of female sex workers in Pune city

“…6,7 The figures are a concern with the policymakers. At this background, it is essential to understand the pathways of risk perception influencing condom use and HIV testing in this specific population, 9,10 besides the role of knowledge in transferring the perception to action. 8 Despite the fact that FSWs in India continues to be at most risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV there is a paucity of research about their perception of risk of being infected with HIV.…”