Condom use within non-commercial partnerships of female sex workers in southern India
Deering, K.N.; Bhattacharjee, P.; Bradley, J.; Moses, S.S.; Shannon, K.; Shaw, S.Y.; Washington, R.; Lowndes, C.M.; Boily, M.-C.; Ramesh, B.M.; Rajaram, S.; Gurav, K.; Alary, M.
Bmc Public Health 11(Suppl 6): S11
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 1471-2458 PMID: 22376171 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-11-s6-s11Document Number: 230427
Although female sex workers (FSWs) report high levels of condom use with commercial sex clients, particularly after targeted HIV preventive interventions have been implemented, condom use is often low with non-commercial partners. There is limited understanding regarding the factors that influence condom use with FSWs' non-commercial partners, and of how programs can be designed to increase condom use with these partners. The main objectives of this study were therefore to describe FSWs' self-reported non-commercial partners, along with interpersonal factors characterizing their non-commercial partnerships, and to examine the factors associated with consistent condom use (CCU) within non-commercial partnerships. This study used data collected from cross-sectional questionnaires administered to 988 FSWs in four districts in Karnataka state in 2006-07. We used bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis to examine the relationship between CCU (i.e., 'always' compared to 'never', 'sometimes' or 'frequently') with non-commercial partners of FSWs (including the respondents' husband or main cohabiting partner . CCU with FSWs' non-paying partner decreased by 18% for each one-year increase in the duration of the relationship (AOR: 0.82, 95%CI: 0.68-0.97). This study revealed important patterns and interpersonal determinants of condom use within non-commercial partnerships of FSWs. Integrated structural and community-driven HIV/STI prevention programs that focus on gender and reduce sex work stigma should be investigated to increase condom use in non-commercial partnerships.