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Abstract
We performed this study to examine the association of sexual coercion with HIV-related risk behaviors and suicidal thoughts and attempts among female sex workers (FSWs) in Guangxi, China. Four hundred fifty-four FSWs in 57 entertainment establishments (including shampooing salons, massage parlors, and restaurants) were interviewed between March and May 2004. Fifteen percent of the women reported having been coerced into sex in the last 6 months. The prevalence of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts in the last 6 months were 14.3% and 8.4%, respectively. Sexual coercion was significantly associated with both an increased rate of HIV-related risk behavior, and suicidal thoughts and attempts among FSWs. Therefore, along with the awareness and intervention programs, efforts should be taken to reduce the exposure of FSWs to sexual coercion and to improve the mental health of FSWs.
This project is supported by a grant from the NIH Office of AIDS Research (R01MH064878-3S1). The study would not have been possible without the dedicated assistance of many health workers of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region CDC and the Heng County Anti-Epidemic Station. The authors are thankful to Drs. Baiqing Dong, Wei Liu, Yuejiao Zhou, Shaoling Liang of Guangxi CDC, Drs. Guojun Liang and Hui Liu of the China CDC, and Dr. Danhua Lin and Ms. Linyun Deng of Beijing Normal University for their contributions to the field data collection and data management.
Notes
∗P < 0.05
∗∗P < 0.01
∗∗∗P < 0.001.
#Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel χ2 test.
∗P < 0.05
∗∗P < 0.01.
¶Fisher's exact test.
#Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel χ2 test.
¶Dependent variable: HIV-related risk score. R-square = 0.2905.
∗P < 0.05
∗∗P < 0.01
∗∗∗P < 0.001.
#Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel χ2 test.
