HIV This Week

Gorbach PM, Sopheab H, et al. Changing behaviors and patterns among Cambodian sex workers: 1997-2003. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2006 Apr 24 [Epub ahead of print]. http://gateway.ut.ovid.com/gw2/ovidweb.cgi

Gorbach and colleagues aimed to identify patterns and behaviours among direct and indirect female sex workers (DFSWs and IDFSWs, respectively) across Cambodia's five major cities from 1997 to 2003. They conducted interviews with DFSWs and IDFSWs following random selection from clusters in the five cities. They found that from 1997 to 2003, consistent condom use with clients increased from 53% to 96% among DFSWs and from 30% to 84% among IDFSWs. DFSWs reported staying in their profession longer, had fewer clients per day, stayed longer in each brothel, were in increasingly larger brothels, and were tested more for HIV. Reported condom use with clients was significantly higher among DFSWs who were never married, were in larger brothels, and charged more for sex, but lower for DFSWs with “sweethearts” and who reported abnormal vaginal discharge. For IDFSWs, reported condom use with clients was higher for those reporting abnormal vaginal discharge and HIV testing, and lower for those with “sweethearts”. The authors conclude that from 1997 to 2003, Cambodian direct and indirect sex workers increased their use of condoms each year with commercial as well as non-commercial partners, confirming that HIV prevention programmes can produce significant changes in risk behaviours.