Factors associated with inconsistent condom use among female sex workers in Nha Trang, Vietnam

Abstract

This study examined consistent condom use with clients, self-reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and associated factors among Vietnamese female sex workers (FSWs). Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey among 192 FSWs in Nha Trang city, in 2005. The rate of consistent condom use with casual clients, regular clients, and nonpaying partners were 59.3%, 38.3%, and 5.3%, respectively. About 5.7% of the FSWs admitted that they are intravenous drug users, and 66.7% of the sample had symptoms of STIs in the past 12 months. Indirect FSW, being drug users, having many clients per week, not watching television on a regular basis, those who thought that they themselves are at extremely high risk of having HIV, and those have never been tested for HIV have been found to be associated with inconsistent condom use. Our results suggest the need to improve STI control in FSWs, further promotion of condom use and information, education, and communication among FSWs.