Article Text
Abstract
Background Female sex workers (FSW) are at high risk of gonorrhea and chlamydia infection. However, gonorrhea and chlamydia testing rate remain low in this population. This study aimed to assess the gonorrhea and chlamydia testing rates and its associated factors among FSW in Guangdong, China.
Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in seven cities in Guangdong province. We collected data on socio-demographic characteristics, gonorrhea and chlamydia testing uptake and health care services utilization from participants through face-to-face interview in 2017. We reported the outcomes adjusted for age, ethnic, education level, marital status, monthly income and local working time through multivariable logistic regressions.
Results Overall, 1207 people participated in the survey. The mean age of FSW was 30.69±6.75 years. The average number of customers per week was 8.18±5.43. Ninety (7.46%) of them had gonorrhea testing and 125 (10.36%) people had chlamydia testing in the last 12 months. Multivariable analysis indicated that FSW who reported having abnormal vaginal discharge (aOR=3.33, 95%CI: 2.03–5.46) or having ulcers in the genital area (aOR=6.16,95%CI: 1.99–19.06) in the past year were more likely to have gonorrhea testing. Those who had stable partners (aOR=2.59, 95%CI: 135–4.99), had anal sex (aOR=2.23,95%CI: 1.76–2.84), had HIV testing (aOR=3.94,95%CI: 2.34–6.65) and syphilis testing (aOR=3.27,95%CI: 1.96–5.46) were also more likely to have gonorrhea testing. Similar as gonorrhea testing, participants who had abnormal vaginal discharge in the past year (aOR=4.09, 95%CI: 2.62–6.40), had ulcers in the genital (aOR=10.37, 95%CI: 3.23–33.31), had anal sex (aOR=2.36,95%CI:1.54–3.60), had HIV testing (aOR=5.16,95%CI: 3.21–8.30) and syphilis testing (aOR=6.90,95%CI: 4.21–11.32) were more likely to have chlamydia testing.
Conclusion Gonorrhea and chlamydia testing rates remain low among FSW in China. Interventions that can further improve the uptake of gonorrhea and chlamydia are further needed. Providing gonorrhea and chlamydia testing at syphilis/HIV testing sites and among asymptomatic FSW may increase testing rate.
Disclosure No significant relationships.