Condom use and associated factors among female sex workers in Southern Vietnam, 2018

Abstract

Female sex workers (FSW) are one of the key populations for HIV. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of condom use and associated factors among FSW in southern Vietnam through HIV sentinel surveillance (HSS). Five provinces including Ho Chi Minh city (HCMC), Can Tho (CT), An Giang (AG), Kien Giang (KG) and Dong Nai (DN) were involved in the 2018 HSS cross-sectional surveys, selecting 150-300 FSW (According to Circular 09/2012 / TT-BYT) aged ≥16 years for each province (face-to-face interview with national questionnaire). Results showed that the prevalence of consistent condom use decreased
according to the familiarity of sexual partners, the rates in strangers, patrons and husband were 73.0%, 66.7% and 19.9%, in order. Multivariate analysis revealed 6 factors associated with increased consistent condom use, respectively as followed: (1) Province of study (FSW in An Giang, Can Tho, Dong Nai and Kien Giang compared to those in Ho Chi Minh City); (2) frst selling sex age≥20; (3) Number of times selling sex last month > 30 times compared to ≤15 times ; (4) Condom use regularly with husband / lover compared to those not using condoms regularly; (5) Knowing HIV testing venues; (6) Knowing partner’s HIV status. Conversely, FSW who were widowed/separated/divorced were less likely to use condoms regularly than those who
were singled. No associated factors were found between age, education and injecting drugs and condom behavior. Factors correlated with consistent condom use found in the study should be taken into consideration when planning interventions to improve condom use among FSW.