Opportunities and challenges for promoting new
HIV prevention methods among women sex workers in China
Authors: Margaret
R. Weeks; Maryann Abbott; Susu Liao; Wang Yu; Bin He;
Yuejiang Zhou; Liu Wei; Jingmei Jiang
Publisher: Journal
of Sex Research, 2007
This article from the Journal of Sex Research reports high
levels of awareness about HIV prevention methods among women sex
workers in southern China. It shows the women are using a range
of contraceptive practices, and different methods to prevent HIV
and other sexually transmitted infections (STI). This indicates
that there will be high levels of willingness to use vaginal
microbicides and female condoms when these become available.
However, promoting the use of these new female-initiated
prevention methods will have to take account of the specific
context of sex work, and also differences in knowledge and use
of prevention methods according to age and ethnicity.
The study shows that the women were knowledgeable about the male
condom, and the majority tried to insist on their partners using
them. However, they also found negotiating condom use difficult
and frequently had to resort to other, less reliable, methods.
Promoting the use of microbicides will involve discouraging some
of these other methods as their use would counteract the effects
of the microbicide products. The article recommends using a
range of culturally sensitive means to promote knowledge about
new HIV prevention methods, including translating information
into local languages and using oral communication. The research
indicates that peer-delivered and site-based interventions are
particularly effective in this context.
Male-male sex cannot be ignored in Asia
Authors: ; MAP
Network
Publisher:
Monitoring the AIDS Pandemic Network, 2005
This publication, from the Monitoring the AIDS Pandemic (MAP)
Network, reviews the situation of men who have sex with men (MSM)
in Asia. The report summarises the key findings about the
epidemiology of HIV and AIDS among Asian MSM and discusses the
programmatic implications of these findings. Key findings show
that in 2003, 17 per cent of MSM in Bangkok, Thailand were HIV
positive. By 2000, 15 per cent of MSM in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
tested positive for HIV. The prevalence of HIV among transgender
sex workers in Jakarta, Indonesia increased from 6 per cent in
1997 to 22 per cent in 2002. While these findings represent the
most at risk segment of the MSM population, they give cause for
alarm in Asian countries that continue to neglect MSM
prevention, care, support and treatment.
The report highlights four areas that programme managers
addressing male-male sex need to consider. These include
increasing condom use in male-male sex, and introducing
prevention methods to those engaging in high-risk activities,
such as men and transgendered people who sell sex to men.
Managers also need to consider issues of drug use and men who
have sex with men and women. [adapted from author]
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